The Government has launched an action plan to promote collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining is the process of negotiation between employers and employee representatives such as trade unions.
Under the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, member states with less than 80% collective bargaining coverage, which includes Ireland, must establish an action plan to promote collective bargaining.
The new strategy contains commitments to assess the feasibility of introducing mandatory mediation processes, to review the Unfair Dismissals Act, and to examine legal protections for trade union representatives.
There will be new capacity-building programmes, funding for productivity-enhancing agreements, and recognition of best practices.
The Government has committed to conducting exploratory research into the potential introduction of a pilot to include collectively bargained agreements as a weighting in public procurement projects.
The plan commits to new public awareness campaigns, a new Code of Practice, the exploration of tax incentives to support union membership, and targeted research to measure the benefits of collective bargaining.
It also pledges investments in digitalisation, enhanced dispute resolution, and modernisation of the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court.
"This Action Plan strengthens our voluntarist tradition, fosters constructive dialogue, and ensures Ireland remains a leader in social cohesion and competitiveness," said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Developed in collaboration with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and Ibec, the Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining will run from 2026 to 2030.
"By investing in skills and deepening social dialogue, we are ensuring collective bargaining continues to support decent work, competitiveness, and sustainable growth," said Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke.
Employers group Ibec has welcomed the publication of the action plan.
"Ibec remains committed to its role as an employer pillar in social partnership," said CEO Danny McCoy.
"We will continue to engage with ICTU, the Department, the WRC and other relevant stakeholders in continuing work under this action plan and protecting our stable and effective industrial relations framework," Mr McCoy added.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it welcomed the action plan as the start of a new process to promote collective bargaining.
"Ultimately whether this plan will benefit workers will be determined by its implementation," the General Secretary of ICTU Owen Reidy said.
"The trade union movement will be relentless in ensuring that the commitments made are honoured in spirit and deed," he said.
"We will work intensively and hold all parties accountable to ensure this action plan is implemented in full, and delivers real, tangible benefits for all workers," Mr Reidy added.
