Senator calls on government to intervene in Hastings Garage dispute

THE industrial dispute at Hastings Garage in Westport has been raised in An Seanad as nine workers have completed their fifth day on strike action in their bid for statutory redundancy payments.

Mayo Sinn Fein Senator Rose Conway-Walsh said the company recently imposed compulsory redundancies on three members of staff.

She stated: “Ex gratiapayments were recommended by the Labour Court for all three, with one employee to be given the option of returning to employment at the garage.

“The company has made it clear that it will not abide by this second ruling concerning payments. No explanation was given as to how the redundancies were chosen.

“The government’s industrial relations strategy is contradictory and utterly useless. These industrial disputes can often be viewed as legal proceedings going on in the background. In reality these disputes have led to great hardship for families, many of whom are already struggling.

“The government has been at pains to instruct Bus Éireann workers and others to go to the Labour Court and abide by its recommendations. Here we have a case where a ruling has been made but one party refuses to abide by the decision.

“The government cannot, on the one hand, hide behind the excuse of urging engagement with the Labour Court, yet in other circumstances remain completely silent.

“I would like to have the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation explain to us exactly what the government's strategy is to deal with industrial unrest.

“I know the Taoiseach is acutely aware of this dispute within his constituency. There is a basic need to stand up for fairness and to be seen to do so.

“We have enough problems with creating and keeping jobs in the west. It is vital that fair play is seen to prevail in this situation.

“I urge the government to intervene to ensure that the right thing is done for these workers and that the company is made to adhere to the Labour Court ruling.'