Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87767 Case Number: LCR11552 Section / Act: S67 Parties: ARRAMARA TEO - and - ITGWU;ITGWU |
Claim on behalf of eighteen workers, under the 26th wage round for a wage increase, an improvement in the bonus scheme and additional annual leave.
Recommendation:
7. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court recommends that the Employer's offer be amended to provide
for:
(a) an initial increase of 3% on basic rates and bonus for a
period of six months from 1st June, 1987,
(b) an increase of 1% from 1st November, 1987,
(c) a further increase of 1% from 1st January, 1988,
in respect of an agreement to last for 18 months.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Collins Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87767 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11552
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: ARRAMARA TEORANTA
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of eighteen workers, under the 26th wage round
for a wage increase, an improvement in the bonus scheme and
additional annual leave.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Company processes seaweed at its two plants in Kilkieran,
Co. Galway and Meenmore, Co. Donegal. The Department of the
Marine owns 51% of the Company. Nine of the workers concerned are
employed at the Kilkieran plant and the remainder are employed at
the Meenmore plant.
3. The 25th wage round terminated on 28th February, 1987.
Following local negotiations the Union claimed a 9% wage increase
over 12 months from 1st March, 1987 and an increase in service
pay. In July, 1987 the Company offered a 6 months pay pause
followed by a 3% wage increase for 12 months. This was not
acceptable to the Union.
4. No agreement was reached through local negotiations and on
24th July, 1987 the matter was referred to the conciliation
service of the Labour Court. A conciliation conference was held
on 1st September, 1987 but no agreement was reached and on 12th
October, 1987 the case was referred to the Court for
investigation and recommendation. A Labour Court hearing was held
on 11th November, 1987 in Galway.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
5. 1. The workers' rates of pay are very low and should be
substantially increased.
2. The Company is a fully commercial operation and the
workers should be rewarded for the extra productivity and
co-operation which they have given to the Company in
streamling and reducing its manning levels in the recent
past (details supplied to the Court).
5. 3. The workers are being treated as if they are neither in
the public or private sectors. They had a relationship with
local authority workers some years ago which the Company
bought out as it was a commercial company. The Union finds
it hard to accept that the workers should be restricted to
public sector pay guidelines.
4. The Company's productivity and efficiency has been
increased and its price levels kept competitive. The
workers, who have made it all possible should now be given
reasonable wage levels.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
6. 1. The offer made by the Company is the best offer which
could be made under the public sector pay guidelines.
2. A resolution to this matter may be possible under the
formula that has emerged in settlements of 26th wage round in
commercial state bodies.
RECOMMENDATION:
7. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court recommends that the Employer's offer be amended to provide
for:
(a) an initial increase of 3% on basic rates and bonus for a
period of six months from 1st June, 1987,
(b) an increase of 1% from 1st DECEMBER, 1987,
(c) a further increase of 1% from 1st January, 1988,
in respect of an agreement to last for 18 months.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
____________________
Deputy Chairman.
1st December, 1987
T.O'M/J.C.
APPENDIX 1.
____________
CURRENT RATES OF PAY AT ARRAMARA TEO. NOV. 1987
_____________________________________
DAY SHIFT (4 workers) - #138.00 per 40 hr. week.
BACK SHIFT & NIGHT SHIFT - #142.00 per 40 hr. week.
(8 workers)
FOREMAN (2 workers) - #194.00 per 40 hr. week.
FITTER (1 worker) - #143.60 per 40 hr. week.
DRIVER (1 worker) - #132.80 per 40 hr. week.
ELECTRICIAN (Kilkerrin) - #166.40 per 40 hr. week.
(1 worker)
CLEANER do. - #119.96 per 40 hr. week.
(1 worker)
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
N.B. a Bonus of #15 per week is payable to production workers in
return for certain productivity concessions as per attached.