Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87736 Case Number: LCR11532 Section / Act: S67 Parties: NORTH WESTERN CATTLE BREEDING - and - ITGWU |
Claim on behalf of twenty six workers for a 26th wage round agreement.
Recommendation:
5. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court recommends that on wages the Society should amend its offer
as follows:-
3% with effect from 1st June, 1986
4% with effect from 1st June, 1987
3% with effect from 1st June, 1988
in respect of an agreement to terminate on 30th November, 1988 and
the offer as amended be accepted by the workers concerned.
The Court further recommends that the Society's offer on sick pay
be accepted.
The Court does not recommend concession of the Union's claim for
part-time workers.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Collins Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87736 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11532
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11532
Parties: NORTH WESTERN CATTLE BREEDING SOCIETY LIMITED
(Represented by the Irish Co-Operative
Organisation Society Limited)
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
Subject:
1. Claim on behalf of twenty six workers for a 26th wage round
agreement.
Background:
2. The 25th wage round expired for the workers here concerned on
31st May, 1986. The Union, on their behalf, submitted the
following claims:-
- #24 for 24 months
- sick pay (full pay for 12 weeks less social
welfare)
- full pay for part-time staff after 3 months'
service
- weekly payment of wages.
The Society offered increases of 3% from 1st June, 1986 and 2%
from 1st June, 1987, the agreement to expire on 31st May, 1988.
This was unacceptable to the Union and, as no agreement could be
reached at local level the matter was referred to the conciliation
service of the Labour Court. At a conciliation conference held on
24th September, 1987 the Society made the following offer:-
3% from 1st June, 1986
3% from 1st June, 1987
No further cost increasing claims before 31st May,
1988
Sick pay of 6 weeks' full pay, 6 weeks' 3/4 pay
(less social welfare entitlements)
This offer was unacceptable to the Union. As no agreement could
be reached the matter was referred to the Labour Court for
investigation and recommendation. A Court investigation into the
dispute was held in Sligo on 21st October, 1987.
Union's arguments:
3. (i) The present rates of pay of the workers are out of line
with rates in other similar employments (details
supplied to the Court).
(ii) The Society has enjoyed a growth situation over the
past number of years and has had the facility to expand
its interests whenever the need required. This is very
much a reflection on the workers' co-operation in all
matters connected to their duties.
(iii) The claim of #24 for 2 years is not excessive given the
low pay rates.
(iv) The absolute minimum the Union would be prepared to
accept would be a 10% increase over 2 years.
(v) The Union is seeking that the principle of full pay for
part-time staff after three months' service be
conceded.
Society's arguments:
4. (a) The Society is dependent on A.I. for its revenue. A.I.
call numbers have declined since the removal of the
grants to farmers for maintaining herd numbers. This
has seriously affected the Society and has resulted in
a loss making situation.
(b) Due to the nature of the area covered, the Society
incurs additional costs which other A.I. stations do
not have to contend with.
(c) Concession of the Union's claims would cost #20,000 per
annum. Repercussive effects would increase this cost
to #47,000 per annum.
(d) The offer made by the Society is reasonable, having
regard to the financial situation.
(e) Due to different operational structures in other A.I.
stations throughout the country no direct pay
relationship exists between the society and any other
A.I. station. The only comparable A.I. station is the
North Eastern Cattle Breeding Society and the rates
there are similar to those in the Society.
(f) The change to weekly rather than fortnightly payment
would involve the Society in extra work and additional
costs estimated at #5,000 per annum. The Society can
see little advantage to the workers in changing the
present system. Weekly pay is not universal in the
industry.
(g) The only seasonal worker represented by the Union is
already on the full hourly rate.
(h) The Society can see no basis for concession of 12
weeks' full pay while on sick leave. This level of
payment does not apply in other societies. The
Society's offer is comparable to that paid in other
stations.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court recommends that on wages the Society should amend its offer
as follows:-
3% with effect from 1st June, 1986
4% with effect from 1st June, 1987
3% with effect from 1st June, 1988
in respect of an agreement to terminate on 30th November, 1988 and
the offer as amended be accepted by the workers concerned.
The Court further recommends that the Society's offer on sick pay
be accepted.
The Court does not recommend concession of the Union's claim for
part-time workers.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
16th November, 1987 ---------------
R.B./U.S. Deputy Chairman