Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87185 Case Number: LCR11228 Section / Act: S67 Parties: SQUARE D IRELAND LTD - and - ITGWU |
Claim for a wage increase under the 26th wage round.
Recommendation:
7. In the light of the submissions made by the parties the Court
recommends.
(a) Wage rates be increased by a single phase of 6% with
effect from 1st December, 1986 in respect of an
agreement of 1 years duration.
(b) That issues in respect of the present wage structure
should be specifically raised with the Company as part
of the next general wage claim.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
________________________
Deputy Chairman.
10th June, 1987.
T.O.M/J.C.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr McHenry Mr O'Murchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87185 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11228
CC87144 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11228
Parties: SQUARE D COMPANY
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
Subject:
1. Claim for a wage increase under the 26th wage round.
Background:
2. The Company employs a total of 230 workers in Ballinasloe
where it manufactures circuit breakers for the domestic
(miniature) and industrial (moulded) cases markets. This claim
concerns 171 workers who are represented by the Union.
3. The 25th wage round expired for these workers on 30th
November, 1986. In December, 1986 the Union claimed a 12% wage
increase over 12 months from 1st December, 1986. The Company
rejected the claim and offered a 3% wage increase over 12 months
from 1st December, 1986. The Union rejected this offer.
4. No agreement was reached through local negotiations and on
28th January, 1987 the matter was referred to the conciliation
service of the Labour Court. A conciliation conference was held
on 26th February as a result of which the representatives agreed
to recommend acceptance of settlement proposals for a 6% wage
increase over 12 months from 1st December, 1986 with no further
cost increasing claims to be lodged for the duration of the
agreement. The workers rejected these proposals. No further
agreement was reached and on 9th March, 1987 the case was referred
to the Court for investigation and recommendation. A Labour Court
hearing was held on 6th May, 1987 in Galway.
Union's arguments:
5. (i) The basic rates of pay compare unfavourably with the
rates in A.T. Cross Ltd. The majority of the workers
in both companies are in the lowest grade and the
majority of these workers are female. The work in both
companies is comparable.
(ii) The workers have always enjoyed good industrial
relations with the Company and have co-operated in
every possible way with the Company.
(iii) The Union's claim is intended merely to ensure that the
buying power of the workers is not eroded.
Company's arguments:
6. (a) Various difficulties have been encountered with the
development of the Company's market over the years
which place significant limitations on its freedom of
action in these wage discussions.
(b) Higher production at the moment has resulted from a
back-log caused by a variety of problems. However, the
Company during these negotiations also wanted to
demonstrate its ability to meet others so as to
maintain the confidence of the parent company in the
Irish operation. This confidence is vital to the
success of the Company given its peculiar marketing
arrangements.
(c) The Company is under directive that any wage increase
granted must be off-set through savings made elsewhere.
The acceptance of the settlement proposals of the
Industrial Relations Officer was that it was as far as
the Company could go to meet the workers demands. The
Company also went along with the settlement proposals
on the basis that they would be recommended by the
negotiating committee and accepted by the workers.
RECOMMENDATION:
7. In the light of the submissions made by the parties the Court
recommends.
(a) Wage rates be increased by a single phase of 6% with
effect from 1st December, 1986 in respect of an
agreement of 1 years duration.
(b) That issues in respect of the present wage structure
should be specifically raised with the Company as part
of the next general wage claim.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
________________________
Deputy Chairman.
10th June, 1987.
T.O.M/J.C.