Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD8891 Case Number: LCR11718 Section / Act: S67 Parties: CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim on behalf of approximately thirty three cleaning workers for a buy-out of pay parity with the Associated Banks.
Recommendation:
6. The Court having considered the submissions from the parties
and taking into account the wage levels and conditions of
employment of the claimants recommends a sum of £750 gross per
person in settlement of the claim.
Division: Ms Owens Mr Shiel Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD8891 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11718
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND
AND
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of approximately thirty three cleaning workers
for a buy-out of pay parity with the Associated Banks.
BACKGROUND:
2. On 31st August, 1987 the Labour Court investigated a claim on
behalf of these workers for continued pay parity with workers in
the Associated Banks in the context of the 26th wage round. The
Court's recommendation (LCR No. 11542 of 20th November, 1987
refers) was rejected by the Union. The matter was referred to the
conciliation service of the Labour Court and a conciliation
conference took place on 18th December, 1987. At conciliation the
Bank made the following offer in respect of the 26th wage round:-
- fifteen month agreement, 1st December, 1986 to 29th February,
1988.
- three months pay pause from 1st December, 1986 to 28th
February, 1987.
- 3% increase from 1st March, 1987.
- 1% increase from 1st October, 1987.
3. The Bank also made an offer to negotiate a buy-out of the pay
parity, in respect of which the Bank made a final offer of £350
per worker. The Union claimed £1,500 per worker and no less than
£1,000 per worker (which another group of workers negotiated in a
similar buy-out). No progress was possible and on 2nd February,
1988 the matter was referred to the Labour Court for investigation
and recommendation. The Court investigated the dispute on 16th
February, 1988.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. If parity with the commercial banks had been maintained
the workers would have received an increase of 10%, compared
to the Banks present offer of 4% which would result in a loss
to the workers of 6% together with a three month pay pause.
4. 2. Four previous Labour Court recommendations gave parity
between this group of workers and those in the Associated
Banks. With this break in parity the workers are suffering a
large loss in earnings and based on future losses to the
workers the Union is seeking a lump sum figure of £1,500 and
at a minimum a lump sum of £1,000 which was paid to the
security guards in a similar situation.
BANK'S ARGUMENTS:
5. 1. The Bank previously negotiated a buy-out of pay parity
with the Associated Banks for the security guards. A figure
of £1,000 was agreed and implemented in that case based on
calculated losses of one and a half year's annual earnings and
taking into account shift allowance and overtime. Based on
the cleaners earnings and using the same method of calculation
this represents a loss to these workers of £339 per person.
2. As a result of the change the only reckonable loss to the
workers relates to pay. The Bank does not intend to reduce
the annual leave allowances or service pay rates and
considering the arrangements under the National Plan these
existing conditions will continue in the foreseeable future.
A lump sum of £350 should be accepted as a buy-out of pay
parity with the Associated Banks and in recognition that
future wage rounds will be on the basis of increases in the
public sector generally.
RECOMMENDATION:
6. The Court having considered the submissions from the parties
and taking into account the wage levels and conditions of
employment of the claimants recommends a sum of £750 gross per
person in settlement of the claim.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court.
Evelyn Owens
___25th___February,__1988. ___________________
U. M. / M. F. Deputy Chairman