Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD8748 Case Number: LCR11166 Section / Act: S67 Parties: IRISH BISCUITS LTD. - and - EET&PU;ETU |
Claim, on behalf of 8 electricians and 6 plumbers, for a wage increase under the 26th wage round.
Recommendation:
6. The Court recommends that the Unions should accept the
Company's offer but does not recommend payment for the period of
the pay pause in 1977.
Division: CHAIRMAN Mr Collins Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD8748 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11166
CC87126 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11166
Parties: IRISH BISCUITS LIMITED
and
ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION
ELECTRICAL ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND PLUMBING UNION
Subject:
1. Claim, on behalf of 8 electricians and 6 plumbers, for a wage
increase under the 26th wage round.
Background:
2. The Company employs a total of 957 full-time workers and 60
seasonal part-time workers at its plant in Tallaght, Co. Dublin.
The Craft Group of Unions, representing the 45 craftsmen employed
by the Company, proposed to support industrial action as a means
of pursuing its claim for a 10% wage increase under the 26th wage
round. An Industrial Relations Officer of the Labour Court
invited the parties to conciliation talks. Conciliation
Conferences were held on 19th and 22nd August, 1986. The second
conference finished with the Company making a final offer of a 4%
wage increase over five months followed by a 3% wage increase over
nine months and in addition bonus would be paid on the first three
hours of overtime worked per week. The payment of bonus on
overtime would represent an increase of #2.60 per week.
3. The offer was accepted by the craft workers with the exception
of the workers represented by the Unions here concerned. The
Company has applied the increases to the other craft workers. The
Unions sought to refer the claim, for a one phased 10% wage
increase over twelve months from 1st August, 1986, to the Labour
Court for investigation and recommendation. The Company agreed to
the reference. A Court hearing was held on 19th February, 1987
and a further hearing was held on 5th May, 1987.
Union's arguments:
4. (i) The Company's offer is inadequate particularly as the
workers have lost ground in previous wage rounds
compared to other workers. The workers have shown
great restraint in their claims on the Company in
recent years. In addition the Workers have co-operated
with the Company in recent years.
(ii) The workers should be compensated in this wage round
because of the pay pause which the Company achieved
when implementing the phases of the 1977 National Wage
Agreement. The Company should now recognise the
committment made by the workers.
Company's arguments:
5. (a) The Company has concluded settlements for the 25th and
26th wage rounds with the rest of its full-time
workers. Those settlements are in line with
settlements generally in the Economy. They are also
well ahead of the current rate of inflation which is
now running at 3% over a twelve month period.
(b) The Company is trying to bring its overhead costs into
line with those of its competitors. Its wage
settlements for the 25th and 26th wage rounds are ahead
of its competitors' rates. The Company will not be
able to absorb these increases through price increases.
RECOMMENDATION:
6. The Court recommends that the Unions should accept the
Company's offer but does not recommend payment for the period of
the pay pause in 1977.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John M Horgan
--------------
21st May, 1987. Chairman
T.O'M./U.S.