The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has announced a new approach to industrial dispute settlement which will put time limits on conciliation.
The new measures will increase pressure on individuals and small groups to use the Commission’s Rights Commissioner service and investigate the establishment of new arbitration and mediation services.
It will also review the effectiveness of its Code of Practice in essential services including key commitments to industrial peace.
At the launch of the new three-year strategy published today, the LRC said the new measures would give impetuous to industrial-dispute settlement and an increasing pressure on parties to find ways of avoiding industrial disputes.
This will also involve a complete review of the Commission’s staffing and resources, which has already been agreed by the Government.
"The Labour Relations Commission in this strategy is re-focusing its activities to reflect the increasingly complex industrial relations agenda facing employers and workers over the next three years and the need to maintain a quality service to its wider user base," said Ms Caitriona Murphy, Chairman of the LRC.
She also confirmed that it had already agreed with the Government to carry out a complete review of staffing and resources in the Commission.
"The costs associated with these action programmes are substantially personnel costs and the momentum of delivery will be determined by the ability to recruit, retain and support frontline conciliators, advisors and adjudicators" she said
The Chairman identified developing economic trends both nationally and internationally as factors which will challenge the nature of Industrial Relations into the future.
She also highlighted the fact that negotiations at the end of 2002 on a new national agreement would affect industrial relations in Ireland over the next three years and therefore our ability to attract and retain investment in the Irish economy.
"The Labour Relations Commission needs to position itself to meet any and all challenges that may arise in the next three years" said Ms Murphy. "We are outlining today the strategic direction of our work programmes which will ensure that the best possible service will be provided to employers and unions in dispute" she added.
The new measures include:
- a guarantee conciliation offer within specified time frame
- encourage appropriate use of legislation by clients
- review of the code of practice on essential services
- sectoral reviews of industrial relations
- in-company Industrial relations reviews