Association

State guarantees right to form associations & unions

special features

associate for a particular purpose

individual rights can be exercised through associations

acting in concet gives more power then acting alone

rights of unions

no right to join existing union unless union has monopoly on access to a particular type of work, refusal to admit may violate right to work

right to accept member

secret societies in police or military prohibited - conflicts with public order or morality

unlawful organisation - S 18 - Offences against the State act

attempts to raise military force without constitutional authority

advocate or encourage violence

if Government believes to be unlawful, can make a suppression order

may ask HC to declare it is not unlawful

regulate in the public interest -

if determination is made

Trade Union tribunal can determine

sole right to organise workers or a particular class

if the Trade Union is proper

balot workers affected

negotiate fixing of wages and other conditions

the union is obliged to accept workman fo that class as member

no other Trade Union can accept new member of any workman of that class

citizens free to associate with others of his choice - to not allow would be denial of right

Educational Company Ireland - union members failed to persuade colleagues to join union, union members that unless the 9 employeees joined the union or they were dismissed - the rest world strike

right of dissociation - to chose or not chose to join a trade union - can't be coereced into joining

Meskell - CIE agree with 4 unions to employ only union members - dismissed all affected employees - re-employed only those who agreed to join and stay in the unions

damages awarded - constitutional dismissal power abused