Employment Law - Trade Unions

Irish employers are not obliged to recognise trade unions. In other words, they are not obliged to enter into agreements with, or negotiate with trade unions, in relation to their employees. In certain instances, trade unions apply to the Labour Court for a recommendation that a particular employer "recognise" the trade union. Such a recommendation of the Labour Court is of no binding effect on the employer. However, it should be noted that if employees strike (withdraw their labour) and enter into an industrial dispute, including picketing, with the employer, in relation to the employer's refusal to "recognise" their trade union, that dispute constitutes a valid trade dispute and confers certain protection on the trade union and its members under various pieces of Irish industrial legislation.