Sinn Féin and Ireland’s second-largest union Unite have joined forces to introduce a bill that would give workers the Constitutional right to collective bargaining and mandatory trade union recognition.
Sinn Féin’s workers' rights spokesman Arthur Morgan said today there was a “clear demand” among union members for these rights.
Siptu, Unite and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union have all previously rejected the argument that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which is incorporated into the Lisbon Treaty, delivers the right to collective bargaining.
The charter recognises workers' rights to collective bargaining "in accordance with Community law and national law and practices".
Siptu announced last Friday that it would not urge a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum unless the Government introduced legislation guaranteeing workers the right to be represented in talks with employers. Taoiseach Brian Cowen rejected the demand.
The Government has so far refused to compel employers to deal with unions, arguing that this could damage jobs and investment.
The TEEU said at the weekend the Government's stance was "proof of a hidden agenda" to promote the interests of big business.
Mr Morgan said today that without union recognition and collective bargaining rights, unions cannot properly protect and improve the rights of their members.
“By accepting this Bill the Government can meet the demands of unions and ensure that Irish workers have the rights merely aspired to in the Charter,” Mr Morgan said.
He also rejected Siptu’s assertion that Government acceptance of legislative change on worker rights would be sufficient reason to support the Treaty.
Unite Irish regional secretary Jimmy Kelly said Irish workers had been “badly let down” by the Government on the issues of union recognition and collective bargaining.
“Without the constitutional amendment which Sinn Féin has brought forward, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which others in the union movement claim is significant, will in fact be of no use to Irish workers,” Mr Kelly said.
Unite, which has some 60,000 members, has called for a No vote in the forthcoming Treaty referendum.