‘Case closed’ says WRC after Dutch tech giant refuses to engage

Unite, which organises workers in ASML in Maynooth, today (Monday) said that the company’s refusal to engage collectively with the workforce highlights the need for legislation providing for statutory union recognition and collective bargaining. The European Union Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages requires member states to work towards a collective bargaining coverage target of 80 per cent.  Ireland’s coverage is currently estimated at just 34 per cent.

ASML, which produces photolithography systems used to manufacture microchips, reported a record €28.3 billion total net sales and €7.6 billion profit in 2024. 

In March, Unite was informed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that ASML had refused to engage in conciliation and that therefore “the case is now closed”.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It beggars belief that that an employer like ASML can simply veto workers’ wish to bargain collectively through the union of their choice.  

“By failing to provide for statutory union recognition and collective bargaining, the Irish government is out of step with both international and EU norms. Unite is demanding that the government finally legislate for a basic human right enjoyed by other European workers.”

Unite’s Irish secretary Susan Fitzgerald added: “Not only does nothing work without workers but workers’ wages are key to driving prosperity. The best way to boost wages and ensure that more money goes into workers’ pockets is to provide a statutory right for workers to bargain collectively. Until the government legislates for that basic respect, Unite will use all means at our disposal to force employers like ASML to the table.”