The Labour Court today cautioned workers and employers to adhere to established industrial relations practices or face possible delays in settling their disputes.Introducing its annual report itschairman Mr Finbarr Flood said the court was frustrated by certain high-profile cases last year where workers did not follow procedures before taking industrial action and management acted without proper consultation.
The chairman said he was reluctant to accommodate parties who broke labour rules and then, when they found themselves in crisis, expected the court to see them on a priority basis.
Mr Flood said while the court's resources were always there to help resolve trade disputes the court was not in favour of rewarding "bad behaviour" by giving precedence to those who had not adhered to procedures.
Speaking at the report's publication Minister of State for Labour Affairs Mr Tom Kitt praised the contribution made by the Labour Court to industrial relations in Ireland.
He added: "There is a moral obligation on all parties to disputes to abide by proper procedures and act responsibly in their utilisation of the services and assistance of the Labour Court."
The Labour Court's new website, www.labourcourt.ie, was also launchedtoday.
