Union warns BT in dispute over right to represent workers

The Communications Workers' Union (CWU) has warned that a row over trade union representation rights at telecom company BT Ireland could lead to a dispute.

The union said yesterday that BT Ireland had refused to engage with it for collective bargaining purposes on behalf of members in the company.

The CWU said it had been pursuing the issue of representation with the company for about a year. The matter is currently before the Labour Relations Commission. The head of organising and regulatory affairs at the CWU Ian McArdle said it had "a couple of hundred" members at BT Ireland. He added that the company was currently implementing a change programme. Mr McArdle said BT Ireland was operating "double standards" as the company recognised and dealt with unions in Northern Ireland and Britain.

The union said that BT Ireland operated its business in Ireland on a 32-county basis.

In a statement yesterday a spokesperson for BT Ireland said: "We have comprehensive policies and procedures in place for dealing directly with our employees."

Mr McArdle said the row, if not resolved, could lead to a dispute. However, he said it had been agreed by members that they would go through the Labour Relations Commission.