Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD86675 Case Number: LCR10763 Section / Act: S67 Parties: CLERYS & CO. LTD - and - ITGWU |
Claims, under the 26th wage round, on behalf of forty-five packers, porters, cleaners, canteen and transport staff for an increase in pay, an increase in service pay and an extension of clothing allowance.
Recommendation:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions from both
parties recommends as follows:-
Pay Increase of 3% from 1st April, 1986, for 7 months and a
further increase of 3% for 6 months (13 month agreement).
Clothing Allowance - The Company's offer made at conciliation
should be accepted.
Service Pay - The allowance of #4.50 per week for 30
years' service should be increased to #5
per week.
Division: Ms Owens Mr McHenry Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD86675 THE LABOUR COURT LCR10763
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. 10763
PARTIES: CLERY AND COMPANY LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERATED UNION OF EMPLOYERS)
AND
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
Subject:
1. Claims, under the 26th wage round, on behalf of forty-five
packers, porters, cleaners, canteen and transport staff for an
increase in pay, an increase in service pay and an extension of
clothing allowance.
Background:
2. The 25th wage round expired on 31st March, 1986. In a letter
dated 8th April, 1986, the Union served the following claims on
the Company:-
(i) 12% increase in pay for a 12 month period from 1st
April, 1986.
(ii) A substantial increase in service pay (the existing
scheme ranges from 50p per week after 5 years'
service to #4.50 per week after 30 years' service).
(iii) The extension of the existing clothing allowance to
all grades.
Following a number of meetings at local level no agreement was
reached on the claims and on 19th June, 1986 they were referred to
the conciliation service of the Labour Court. Two conciliation
conferences were held, on 22nd July, and 30th July, 1986, arising
from which the Union amended its wage claim to an 8% increase over
a 12 month period in one phase from the termination date of the
25th round. The Company made a final offer of 4% increase in two
phases over a twelve month period from the termination date of the
25th round. On the question of clothing it was offered that
workers could buy two sets per year of working attire at the rate
of cost plus VAT, plus 10%. This was not acceptable to the Union
and the matters were referred to a full hearing of the Labour
Court. The hearing took place on 25th September, 1986.
Union's arguments:
3. (i) The average 12 month increase under the 26th round in
over 200 settlements recorded by the Union is 6.3%,
71% of these agreements were for a twelve month
duration. The Union is also seeking a twelve month
agreement in this instance.
(ii) The majority of staff in the Company have given loyal
service over a number of years and this is not, in
the Union's opinion, reflected in service pay scheme,
which is seen to be outdated. The scheme is also
discriminatory in that it does not include staff with
less than 5 years' service. This claim was included
under the 25th wage round.
(iii) At present a clothing allowance of #70 annually, paid
in two sums, is granted to sales staff. The Union
contends that this allowance should apply to all
staff as all are involved in duties which cause wear
and tear to their clothes. In not extending the
allowance to all staff, the Company is seriously out
of step with other stores in the drapery trade. This
claim was also included under the 25th wage round.
(iv) The Union believes that the claims can be conceded
without any major cost to the Company. Over the past
four years there has been a large decrease in staff
members with major cost-saving implications for the
Company, while the workload of the staff has
increased.
Company's arguments:
4. (a) The level of settlement in the Company has been in
line with settlements generally in the trade and has
well exceeded the level of inflation, in recent
years. In the same period, the sales turnover has
significantly reduced. During 1982 a special
productivity payment resulted in an additional #10
per week being paid on top of the then current pay
round settlement. The level of increase now being
sought would put the Company at a serious trading
disadvantage vis-a-vis its competitors. Two major
competitors have already settled with the Union for a
significantly lower increase.
(b) The Company considers that its offer on clothing made
at conciliation, should be accepted.
(c) In 1983 the Company increased the service pay
entitlement for those with over ten years' service by
50% resulting in the highest level of service pay in
the trade. In addition to this the service profile
of the staff in the Company results in a very
significant cost of service pay to the Company. The
Company does not consider that payment of service pay
to staff with less than 5 years' service is
justified.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions from both
parties recommends as follows:-
Pay Increase of 3% from 1st April, 1986, for 7 months and a
further increase of 3% for 6 months (13 month agreement).
Clothing Allowance - The Company's offer made at conciliation
should be accepted.
Service Pay - The allowance of #4.50 per week for 30
years' service should be increased to #5
per week.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court.
Evelyn Owens
_20th__October, 1986. ___________________
A. K. / M. F. Deputy Chairman.