The legislation will allow trade unions to represent members at the Labour Court where employers refuse to recognise unions, and secure legally binding benefits for workers, in addition to robust anti-victimisation protections.

IMPACT, which was the main union involved in the Supreme Court decision on Ryanair in 2007, said the legislation removed a significant obstacle to advancing the pay and conditions of all workers.

The legislation also defines what constitutes “collective bargaining” and offers guidelines to help the Labour Court identify if internal bargaining bodies are genuinely independent of their employer.

IMPACT general secretary Shay Cody said “This legislation is vitally important to every worker in the country. Collective bargaining rights will mean that unions and worker representatives will be able to secure benefits in companies where employers refuse to pay the going rate. The legislation also gives new and stronger statutory protection against the victimisation of workers in such companies.

“Trade unions have sought the introduction of collective bargaining rights for over a century. As the economic recovery continues and more people return to employment, it’s important that the right to collective bargaining is in place, and that employees who seek improvements in pay and conditions cannot be victimised for doing so” he said.