Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - REPORT_NO320, March 2000

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 73. At its meeting in November 1999, the Committee expressed its regret at the Government's persistent refusal to establish an independent investigation into the allegations of anti-union tactics at the Co-Steel Sheerness plant and once again requested the Government to undertake such an investigation and to keep it informed of any further developments at Co-Steel in respect of union recognition for collective bargaining purposes (see 318th Report, paras. 74-76).
2. 74. In a communication dated 18 January 2000, the Government once again indicated that the Employment Relations Act would enable the types of problems which arose at Co-Steel to be resolved more easily in the future. The Government reiterated that it was not its intention to carry out an inquiry into the events at Co-Steel as it does not operate a labour inspection system, and any cases of alleged infringement of individual employment rights can be heard by the employment tribunals.
3. 75. The Committee can only express its regret at the Government's unwillingness to address the specific issues raised in this particular case concerning anti-union discrimination and the fact that, consequently, the effects of any such discrimination may remain without redress if the available procedures do not produce an appropriate result.