Kitt to Hold Talks on Lifts Dispute

Mr. Tom Kitt, T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs has today (Tuesday, 8th September 1998) invited ICTU and IBEC for talks on the ongoing lifts dispute. The talks are expected to take place on Thursday 10th September.

Expressing disappointment at the continuing of the dispute the Minister said that "he was astounded that an expanded recommendation by the Labour Court aimed at resolving the dispute had been rejected by the striking workers-members of the TEEU."

Stressing that the "Labour Court is the Court of last resort" in industrial disputes, the Minister said that rejection of the Court's recommendations in this particular dispute "gave rise to grave concern as to whether the dispute is amenable to resolution."

"Parties to industrial disputes must respect the State's industrial relations machinery and his invitation to ICTU and IBEC was made in this context," the Minister said.

The Minister re-iterated the concern he has expressed throughout the dispute about the hardship being caused particularly to residents of housing flat complexes and users of high-rise buildings.