Multinational company Glen Dimplex has been accused by SIPTU of refusing to set up a European Works Council as required by EU regulation.
The union's senior economist, Mr Paul Sweeny, said it had been trying to negotiate a works council at Glen Dimplex since 1997 and it would lodge a complaint with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. SIPTU would also be referring the dispute to the Labour Court. A Department spokeswoman yesterday said it had not yet received a formal complaint.
Under the EU European Works Council Directive, any company employing more than 1,000 people and having plants employing at least 150 people in two or more member-states, must establish a works council.
This is only the second time the Labour Court has been asked to arbitrate on a dispute over European Works Councils. If Glen Dimplex is found to be in breach of the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Act, it faces fines of up to £10,000 and the directors could be jailed for up to three years.