Industrial relations at Limerick Corporation is one of the worst in the country and "the situation is bordering on anarchy" according to a report prepared by Mr Declan Morrin, Director of the Advisory Service of the Labour Relations Commission.
A few people are jeopardising the future of Limerick workers, he said. The report, which was made available to members of the city council, was requested jointly last March by the corporation and a group of seven trade unions representing the outdoor staff. This followed an unofficial refuse bin dispute involving 300 workers last February.
Mr Morrin said if the situation "where management's right and duty to manage was constantly being challenged by some workers and shop stewards, did not change dramatically in the immediate future, the consequences were likely to be far-reaching for the corporation and its employees."
"I am convinced that the corporation want to continue to employ workers directly to provide services to the citizens of Limerick but not at any cost," he added.
Bad industrial relations meant the corporation was unable to compete with private operators, resulting recently in the loss of £400,000 in grant aid and two new jobs on a re-cycling scheme. In his conclusions he called for more democracy among the shop stewards, strengthening of the personnel function, better communications and more training for management and union representatives.
In the report the union view was that management "do not communicate effectively with employees".
They have contributed to the industrial relations problems "by allowing a lax environment to evolve which encourages those who wish to be uncooperative." Concern was also expressed by the unions and shop stewards about "the regular turnover of management, engineers and city managers which results in a lack of continuity and consistency".
Mr Conn Murray, city manager, said the report "vindicates the efforts of city hall management and the full-time trade union officials who have been working together to achieve solutions in difficult circumstances for the past year". SIPTU would not comment on the report - an official said it was confidential to the parties involved.