Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87720 Case Number: LCR11625 Section / Act: S67 Parties: KINGDOM GREYHOUND RACING COMPANY LIMITED - and - MARINE PORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim on behalf of 2 workers for the introduction of a new salary scale.
Recommendation:
5. The Court recommends that the salary scale for clerical
assistant/typist in the public service be granted to the claimants
and that they enter the scale at point 5 and 8 respectively.
The above recommendation falls to be implemented in accordance
with the terms of clause 3.2 of the agreement on pay in the public
sector.
Division: Ms Owens Mr McHenry Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87720 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11625
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: KINGDOM GREYHOUND RACING COMPANY LIMITED
AND
MARINE PORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of 2 workers for the introduction of a new
salary scale.
BACKGROUND:
2. 1. The Company which is a subsidiary of Bord na gCon employs
2 full-time clerical workers at the Tralee greyhound race
track. The current pay scales range from #4,902 per annum
rising by 10 annual increments to #6,707 per annum. One
worker who is employed since 1983 is on point 5 of the scale
and the other worker who is employed since 1979 is on the
maximum point of the scale.
2. The Union lodged a claim with the Company for an
adjustment in the pay scales to those pertaining in the
private sector or clerk typist scale in the public sector.
This claim was rejected by the Company. The matter was
referred to the conciliation service of the Labour Court on
22nd June, 1987.
3. A conciliation conference was held on 28th July, 1987. As
no agreement was possible both parties agreed to a referral to
the Labour Court for investigation and recommendation. A
Court hearing was held in Limerick on 24th November, 1987, a
date suitable to both parties.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The workers concerned carry out various clerical duties
including typing (details supplied to the Court). The workers
are treated as civil servants in that they receive only public
service awards but do not enjoy the appropriate salary scale
pertaining in the public sector. It is the Union's contention
that the Company is enjoying the best of both worlds - both
private and public.
2. At the conciliation conference the Company stated they
were debarred from making any offer because of the strict
limitation imposed on the public sector. The workers
concerned are paying the top rate PRSI contributions. This is
a further indication of the Company's choice, whenever it
suits them of claiming to be in either the private or public
Sector.
3. 3. The salaries now being paid to the workers fall far below
those doing similar work in the private sector. It is the
Union's contention that the workers should be placed on the
appropriate salary scales pertaining in the private sector or
the clerk typist scale in the public sector.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. In 1984, the Company reverted to racing on 2 nights a week
with 10 race programmes. Prior to that there used to be
racing on 3 nights a week. When the Company raced on 3 nights
a week the office staff also printed the race cards. Two
clerical assistants were employed. The Company ceased
printing its own cards around 1977. It is now clear that the
staffing levels at Tralee track are out of line when compared
with other Bord na gCon provincial subsidiary companies
(details supplied to the Court).
2. The Company is satisfied that the rates being paid at
Tralee are adequate and that the employment of two full-time
office staff is not justified in the changed circumstances.
3. The Company is a subsidiary of Bord na gCon and as such
there are certain constraints placed on it by Government
directives in negotiations in relation to pay and conditions
of employment.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court recommends that the salary scale for clerical
assistant/typist in the public service be granted to the claimants
and that they enter the scale at point 5 and 8 respectively.
The above recommendation falls to be implemented in accordance
with the terms of clause 3.2 of the agreement on pay in the public
sector.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court.
7th January, 1988 Evelyn Owens
M.D./M.F. Deputy Chairman