The seminar titled 'An Opportunity to Review and Reframe Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining' was presented by Dr Damian Thomas, National Economic and Social Council (NESC). It took place on Wednesday 20 September 2023 at 15.30 in the Congress offices.
Find the presentation from the seminar here.
Details of seminar:
Dr Damian Thomas, NESC presented on his paper 'An Opportunity to Review and Reframe Collective Bargaining and the Industrial Relations Regime'. Subsequently, a discussion will be open to the floor where the chairperson, NERI economist, Ciarán Nugent presented questions to Damian.
Abstract:
Following the publication of the LEEF’s High Level Working Group Report 2022, this paper considers the extent to which there now exists an opportunity to put place an employment relations regime that is ‘‘fit for purpose’ and capable of meeting the needs of a 21st century economy, labour market and society. Although the manner in which the Working Group’s recommendations are implemented will be critical it is argued that there now exists a set of environing conditions that are constraining and incentivising the actors towards a more meaningful, open and constructive engagement on employment relations issues. This will require, however, a commitment to a more robust form of social dialogue focused on creating a more dynamic and fairer labour market, increasing innovation and productivity and delivering a good jobs economy.
Biography of the presenter:
Dr. Damian Thomas joined NESC in April 2010 having previously worked in the NCPP since 2002. Before joining the NCPP he worked as a Research Officer with the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants (AHCPS). Previously, he was the Labour Court Newman Scholar at UCD (1997-2000) and a research associate at Centre for Urban & Regional Development Studies, Newcastle University (1993-1995). He received a PhD in 2003 from Newcastle University for his work on social partnership and governance in Ireland. Dr. Thomas worked in the Department of Finance on secondment from March 2012 to the end of 2014, and during his time there he worked primarily in the areas of SME Financing, non-bank financing and Personal Insolvency. Among the projects that Damian was directly involved in was the establishment of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. He was also member of the Secretariat to the EU’s High Level Expert Group on SME Financing and Infrastructure.