Sir, – According to Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, “for many years, the Government has demonstrated its strong commitment to collective bargaining” (’We’re ready to do a deal on public servants’ pay – and everything is on the table’, Opinion, July 1st).
And yet, they have refused to legislate in accordance with the recommendations of the Labour-Employer Economic Forum. Specifically, to place a legal obligation on private-sector employers to engage in good faith with a trade union authorised by a substantial number of their employees.
I agree with the Minister that collective bargaining has been good for both public-sector workers and economic stability. It is time to recognise the same benefits in the private sector. – Yours, etc,
Dr ALAN EUSTACE,
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Assistant Professor,
School of Law,
Trinity College Dublin.
