Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87156 Case Number: LCR11211 Section / Act: S67 Parties: UCC - and - ITGWU |
Dispute concerning the rate of pay for a stores supervisor in the chemistry department.
Recommendation:
5. The Court is of the view that the present rate of pay which
applies to the Stores Supervisor in the Chemistry Department
Stores is reasonable and accordingly does not recommend concession
of the Union's claim.
Division: Ms Owens Mr McHenry Mr O'Murchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87156 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11211
CC861773 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11211
Parties: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
AND
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
Subject:
1. Dispute concerning the rate of pay for a stores supervisor in
the chemistry department.
Background:
2. The chemistry department stores, because of the nature of the
materials, is subdivided into different stores and services the
requirements of under graduate and post graduate students,
academic and technical staff. Up to the retirement of a
departmental operative there were 4 workers employed in the
stores. The College did not fill this post but it agreed to the
department's proposal to set up a post of supervisor to be filled
from one of the three remaining workers. As this was the first
departmental supervisory post to be established in the College,
the relevant College staffing committee considered the level of
remuneration for the post. The College concluded that the
appropriate rate for the job was #173.08 a week as advertised
which represents a differential of #14.23 a week (approximately
9%) over the departmental operative rate. The Union sought to
have this rate increased by about #2,000 per annum (negotiable).
This was rejected by the College and the matter was referred to
the conciliation service of the Labour Court on 24th October,
1986. A conciliation conference was held on 25th February, 1987
(a date suitable to both parties). As no agreement was possible
both parties agreed to refer the issue to the Labour Court for
investigation and recommendation. A Labour Court hearing was held
in Cork on 27th April, 1987.
Union's arguments:
3. (a) The rate of pay offered #9,000 per annum is grossly
inadequate for the range of duties and responsibilities
which the supervisor has to perform (details supplied
to the Court). It is also insignificant compared to
the #8,260 per annum saved from not filling the
departmental operative vacancy.
(b) The rate compares very unfavourably with the pay of
similar stores supervisory posts in all the public
service employments locally (details supplied to the
Court). In other universities the responsibilities in
question are carried out by technicians whose basic
salary is #11,746 to #13,832 per annum.
(c) The College acknowledges that this post was created to
streamline the stores and to make their operation more
efficient. Direct supervision and on the spot control
have been introduced. In effect 2 existing posts have
been absorbed into this new one along with the new
responsibilities. It has no equivalent in U.C.C.
itself nor in any other university yet the College was
not prepared to even make a joint evaluation of the
comparison offered. It is the Union's view that the
most appropriate comparison is that with the dental
school storekeeper, while acknowledging that the claim
is not for exact parity.
College's arguments:
4. (i) The College concedes the Union's contention that rates
for stores work in industry vary widely and that many
are in excess of the rate payable by the College. The
College also draws attention to the even greater
variety of levels of responsibilities of such posts
(details supplied to the Court) and does not consider
that the stores duties of the chemistry department
compare with those quoted by the Union either to
volume of output or in level of responsibility or
involvement.
(ii) Stock reconciliation with financial records, and the
tracing of missing items of material or equipment are
the most onerous of stores responsibilities as they
exist in a fully accounts-orientated stock systems.
Such responsibilities do not exist in the College
structure.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court is of the view that the present rate of pay which
applies to the Stores Supervisor in the Chemistry Department
Stores is reasonable and accordingly does not recommend concession
of the Union's claim.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court.
Evelyn Owens
___________________
22nd_May,______1987.
M. D. / M. F. Deputy Chairman.