Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD88834 Case Number: LCR12188 Section / Act: S67 Parties: BEECH PARK GOLF CLUB - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION |
Claim, on behalf of two groundsmen, for an increase in basic pay.
Recommendation:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties, notes that management are prepared to review the pay
rates of the applicants with a view to implementing increases as
from 1st April next. The Court recommends that immediate
negotiations take place between the parties to establish the
scales of pay which should apply as from 1st April, 1989.
Division: Mr Fitzgerald Mr Heffernan Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD88834 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR12188
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: BEECH PARK GOLF CLUB
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim, on behalf of two groundsmen, for an increase in basic
pay.
BACKGROUND:
2. The claimants have approximately one year and one and a half
years' service respectively. Their current basic rate of pay is
#145 per week. This includes an increase of #5 applied by
management in April, 1988, as part of the annual pay review for
all employees. They each work a forty hour week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday to Friday. The Union sought an increase of #30 per week on
the basic rate of #140 (later modified to #15). Management stated
that it was prepared to discuss the introduction of an incremental
scale for the two groundsmen, linked to performance and training.
No further increase, however, would apply until April, 1989. The
Union contended that the current rate of pay is substantially out
of line with that in similar employments. No agreement being
reached at local level, the matter was referred, on 1st June,
1988, to the Conciliation Service of the Labour Court. The club
subsequently requested further local level talks which did not
resolve the matter. A conciliation conference took place on 4th
October, 1988. Again, no agreement was reached and the matter was
referred, on 2nd November, 1988 to a full hearing of the Labour
Court. The hearing took place on 28th November, 1988.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union is seeking a substantial increase in wages for
the two groundsmen. Their present rate of pay is out of line
with the pay of similar workers in other employments. General
operatives in the Parks Department of Dublin Corporation
receive #167.96 per week. Their duties; grass cutting,
maintenance of grounds, tractor driving and the operation of
mowers, are the same as the duties of the claimants.
Groundsmen in other Golf Clubs are also in receipt of higher
wages than the claimants (details supplied).
2. The workers concerned maintain the golf course to a very
high standard. This is borne out by the high level of demand
for the use of the course.
3. The Union does not accept the contention that the
financial position of the Club is as serious as stated by the
Committee. The fees paid by the members of the Club bring in
a substantial amount of money. Other sources of income are
pro-am tournaments and bar and restaurant.
CLUB'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Club moved to its present location in 1983 and since
then has constructed a new golf course and built a new
clubhouse at considerable expense. There are still many
financial commitments to be met in relation to improvements,
drainage, repairs etc. Concession of the present claim would
mean that the Club would have to raise its subscriptions. The
budget for 1988 would be seriously affected as would the
Club's financial position with its bankers.
2. In April, 1988 the Club gave the claimants a #5 per week
increase (3.6%). This is much higher than the rate of
inflation. The Finance Committee budgeted for a loss in the
year 1988. There has been considerable expense arising from
the opening of the new Clubhouse in May, 1988.
3. The Club is conscious of the terms of the Programme for
National Recovery, particularly the clause relating to no cost
increasing claims.
4. The Club has offered to introduce incremental pay scales
for the grounds staff from 1st April, 1989, based on skills
acquired through the appropriate City and Guilds certificates
and on-the-job training. The Club is conscious of its
responsibilities to its members and its employees. It
believes that it can, in time, improve its facilities and the
pay and conditions of its employees, but such improvements can
be brought about only in a gradual manner.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court, having considered the submissions made by the
parties, notes that management are prepared to review the pay
rates of the applicants with a view to implementing increases as
from 1st April next. The Court recommends that immediate
negotiations take place between the parties to establish the
scales of pay which should apply as from 1st April, 1989.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Nicholas Fitzgerald
_________________________
21st December, 1988. Deputy Chairman
A.K./J.C.