Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD86663 Case Number: LCR10807 Section / Act: S67 Parties: ANCO - and - FWUI |
Claim, by the Union, on behalf of Clerk Typists for payment of a word processor allowance.
Recommendation:
5. The Court recommends that the terms and conditions in
operation in the Civil Service in relation to Clerical Assistants
working on Word Processors should apply to the claimants in this
case.
Division:
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD86663 THE LABOUR COURT LCR10807
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR10807
PARTIES: AnCO - THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AUTHORITY
AND
FEDERATED WORKERS' UNION OF IRELAND
Subject:
1. Claim, by the Union, on behalf of Clerk Typists for payment
of a word processor allowance.
Background:
2. In early 1986 the Union served a claim for payment of a word
processor allowance of #7.75 per week (as is paid to Clerk Typists
in the Civil Service) to Clerk Typists and Executive Assistants in
AnCO. Management rejected the claim and on 10th June, 1986 it was
referred to the conciliation service of the Labour Court. A
conciliation conference was held on 15th August, 1986 but no
agreement was reached. The matter was then referred to a full
hearing of the Labour Court. The claim on behalf of Executive
Assistants was subsequently withdrawn and a Court hearing
concerning the claim on behalf of Clerk Typists was held on 31st
October, 1986.
Union's arguments:
3. (i) Clerk Typists in AnCO have pay parity with Clerk
Typists in the Civil Service and enjoy the same
conditions of employment. The Union considers that
the word processor agreement applying in the Civil
Service should also apply to Clerk Typists in AnCO.
(ii) The Union has suggested that Management and the Union
jointly identify all word processor equipment and
determine the application of the allowance. This
suggestion has been rejected by Management.
(iii) Similar claims on behalf of staff in semi-State
organisations have been conceded by the Labour Court
in the past (details supplied).
AnCO's agreements:
4. (a) The modern word processor has numerous advantages for
the operator over the traditional typewriter. This
claim is concerned with paying a special allowance to a
small group of staff for having this modern facility
available to them. In AnCO, word processors are being
installed as an alternative to the traditional
typewriter, where appropriate. They are not confined
to any particular group or grade.
(b) Training on word processors is an essential part of
clerical training, and a necessary skill in order to
secure employment. Management can see no justification
for paying a special allowance for doing what is now
part of normal work routine.
(c) Major problems would arise in relation to the equipment
that would qualify and flexibility would be affected.
(d) While a salary relationship exists with the Civil
Service, the relationship does not extend to the
specific work practices which might apply in either
organisation.
(e) Management would contend that it would be reasonable to
expect the use of word processors to be covered in the
conditions applying to a special pay award of
approximately 15% conceded in December, 1981.
(f) Submissions made to the Job Evaluation scheme by Clerk
Typists, for upgrading, following the introduction of
word processors, have been unsuccessful.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court recommends that the terms and conditions in
operation in the Civil Service in relation to Clerical Assistants
working on Word Processors should apply to the claimants in this
case.
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Signed on behalf of the Labour Court.
John M. Horgan
____12th__March,__1987. ___________________
A. K. / M. F. Chairman