Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87496 Case Number: LCR11562 Section / Act: S67 Parties: THOMAS CORBETT & SONS LTD - and - UCATT |
Claim for a 26th wage round agreement.
Recommendation:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties, accepts that a sum of 3% is due to the workers concerned
in respect of the 26th round pay claim, but is satisfied that in
the present circumstances it is not possible for the Company to
concede any increase at this time.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Collins Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87496 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11562
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: THOMAS CORBETT & SONS LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERATED UNION OF EMPLOYERS)
and
UNION OF CONSTRUCTION ALLIED TRADES & TECHNICIANS
SUBJECT:
1. Claim for a 26th wage round agreement.
BACKGROUND:
2. This claim concerns seven craftsmen employed by the Company in
its joinery shop. The 25th wage round expired on 30th June, 1986.
The Union claimed a 15% wage increase from 30th June, 1986, a
reduction in the working week to be phased in, and the
introduction of a meal allowance. The Company made no response to
the claim due to its financial position. No agreement was reached
through local negotiations and on 9th March, 1987 the matter was
referred to the conciliation service of the Labour Court. A
conciliation conference was held on 30th April, 1987 but no
agreement was reached. On 22nd June, 1987 the case was referred
to the Court for investigation and recommendation. A Labour Court
hearing held on 22nd July, 1987 in Galway was adjourned until 11th
November, 1987 in Galway.
UNION's ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The workers have been very fair to the Company in recent
years. They accepted redundancies and short-time working in
1984/85. The workers are now working full time and expect
their living standards to be maintained as they have their
own domestic commitments.
2. Over the years joint negotiations were held with other
companies and the Company. This is the first occasion that
the Company has refused to negotiate on this basis.
3. The workers understand the Company's difficulties but
they are long overdue a wage increase under the 26th wage
round.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. In common with other firms who are dependant on the
construction industry for business, the Company have suffered
badly as a resulut of the continuing decline of that industry
(details supplied to the Court). The Company's financial
situation is critical and it can give no increases until it
returns to a viable position.
4. 2. The Company is seeking to reduce its continuing losses
through rationalisation and redundancy. The banks have made
it clear that there is no possibility of further support
unless the Company can return to viability within the next
year.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties, accepts that a sum of 3% is due to the workers concerned
in respect of the 26th round pay claim, but is satisfied that in
the present circumstances it is not possible for the Company to
concede any increase at this time.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
_________________________
Deputy Chairman.
3rd December, 1987
T.O'M/J.C.