Collective bargaining legislation unveiled

Trade unions have welcomed draft legislation from the Government that will allow them to represent members at the Labour Court even where employers refuse to recognise them for collective bargaining purposes.

The Government has announced a billthat is designed “to provide significant strengthening of laws to protect and promote workers’ rights and the low paid, and [will provide] certainty for businesses and employers”.

The legislation will ensure that workers whose employers do not recognise collective bargaining, will be able to put forward claims around their pay, terms, and conditions with the help of their trade union. The claim will be adjudicated upon by the Labour Court based on comparisons with similar companies.