Employers' group Ibec and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have agreed a protocol to govern industrial relations in the private sector, it was announced today.
The protocol will guide the State’s industrial relations institutions in how to process claims in the absence of a national pay agreement.
In a statement, Ibec director of industrial relations and human resource services Brendan McGinty said: "Following the collapse of the pay terms of the most recent partnership agreement, the private sector has entered a period of local bargaining in unionised workplaces.
"The protocol aims to ensure that disputes are dealt with in a orderly manner, without recourse to industrial unrest. The objective is to maintain industrial peace and protect the maximum number of jobs," he said.
"Many employers are trying to stay in business and keep people in jobs. The agreement specifically recognises that protecting the maximum number of jobs is the most important objective.
"An agreed approach to the current economic challenges is desirable, but only if it supports enterprise and employment. To this end, Ibec and Ictu will work together to persuade Government to take action on priority issues, including job retention and creation, and pensions,” Mr McGinty said.
Talks have been held between the Government and public sector trade unions as the sides seek to determine if reforms proposed by the unions late last year can be developed.