Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87765 Case Number: LCR11546 Section / Act: S67 Parties: ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY - and - ITGWU |
Claims, on behalf of twenty seven workers, under the 27th wage round as follows:- (a) 10% increase in pay over 12 months, (b) Inclusion of average overtime in holiday pay, (c) Reduction in working hours.
Recommendation:
Claim (a) Increase in Pay:
5. The Court, having regard to the current financial state of the
Society, recommends a pay pause for a period of 12 months but that
the Society take such steps as may be necessary to meet a
negotiated pay increase from mid 1988.
Claim (b) Overtime to be included in holiday pay:
Having regard to the nature of the overtime working, the Court
does not recommend concession of the claim.
Claim (c) Reduction in working hours:
The Court does not recommend concession of the claim.
Division: CHAIRMAN Mr Collins Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87765 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11546
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY
(Represented by the Federated Union of Employers)
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claims, on behalf of twenty seven workers, under the 27th wage
round as follows:-
(a) 10% increase in pay over 12 months,
(b) Inclusion of average overtime in holiday pay,
(c) Reduction in working hours.
BACKGROUND:
2. The 26th wage round expired on 30th June, 1987 and on 3rd July
the Union served claims on the Society as outlined above on behalf
of twenty seven porters, cleaners and groundstaff. The current
rates of basic weekly pay are as follows:-
Porters and Groundstaff #178.92
Chargehands #186.95
Cleaners (part-time) # 67.47.
The working week is 40 hours and overtime, though rostered and
worked frequently, does not follow any particular pattern. At a
meeting held on 12th August, 1987, management pleaded inability to
concede any cost increasing claims. The matter was referred, on
21st August, 1987, to the conciliation service of the Labour
Court. No progress was possible at a conciliation conference held
on 1st October, 1987 and the matter was referred to a full hearing
of the Court. The hearing took place on 6th November, 1987.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union is seeking an increase in pay which will
maintain the real value of income given the effect of
taxation, inflation, P.R.S.I. and employment levies. The
majority of 27th round settlements have been for a 12 month
period without a pay pause.
3. 2. The employees concerned are working regular overtime and
therefore a large percentage of their regular income consists
of overtime payment. As a result, they suffer a significant
drop in earnings when taking holidays. Such claims for
inclusion of average overtime payment in holiday pay have been
conceded by the Labour Court in other cases.
3. Under recent pay rounds attempts have been made to
establish a shorter working week in order to reduce
unemployment. The Union considers that a reduction in hours
for these workers would be appropriate and in keeping with an
international trend.
4. The Union does not accept the Society's contention of
inability to pay.
SOCIETY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Society's financial position is such that it is
unable to concede any cost increasing claim. It has
repeatedly incurred financial losses over recent years and is
expecting a level of indebtedness of over #1 million at the
end of 1987, which greatly exceeds the target deficit of
#200,000.
2. The Banks have placed severe restrictions on facilities
to borrow money. This is a constraint on the running of the
Society's affairs.
3. The Society has made every effort to control expenditure
including rationalisation affecting office staff.
4. The Society has suffered reduced attendances at recent
shows and reduced numbers of exhibitors. It has also incurred
increased insurance and refurbishment costs.
5. Given the position as outlined above the Society cannot
fund any wage increase or make any concession on the claims.
RECOMMENDATION:
Claim (a) Increase in Pay:
5. The Court, having regard to the current financial state of the
Society, recommends a pay pause for a period of 12 months but that
the Society take such steps as may be necessary to meet a
negotiated pay increase from mid 1988.
Claim (b) Overtime to be included in holiday pay:
Having regard to the nature of the overtime working, the Court
does not recommend concession of the claim.
Claim (c) Reduction in working hours:
The Court does not recommend concession of the claim.
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Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John M Horgan
30th November, 1987 --------------
A.K./U.S. Chairman