Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD88303 Case Number: LCR11981 Section / Act: S67 Parties: H. G. PORTER LIMITED - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim by the Union on behalf of 3 clerical workers for the introduction of a salary scale.
Recommendation:
5. Having regard to the number of workers concerned the Court
does not consider the introduction of a salary scale appropriate
in this case. Having further regard to the general level of
incomes within the Company itself, the Court recommends an initial
salary of £90 rising to a maximum of £125 with increases based on
ability and experience, with appropriate plus rates for staff with
additional skills and responsibilities. The Court further
recommends that the rate of those currently on £118.85 be
increased to £125.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Heffernan Mr O'Murchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD88303 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11981
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: H. G. PORTER LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERATED UNION OF EMPLOYERS)
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim by the Union on behalf of 3 clerical workers for the
introduction of a salary scale.
BACKGROUND:
2. The three workers concerned commenced work in 1984, 1985 and
1987 and are paid £118.85 and £88.28 per week respectively. The
Company is involved in the shirtmaking industry. The Union is
seeking the implementation of the following incremental scale with
assimilation onto that scale at the appropriate point, for the
clerical workers:
1st Year £ 94.00
2nd Year £109.00
3rd Year £124.00
4th Year £144.00
5th Year £154.20
6th Year £164.40
7th Year £174.60
The claim was rejected by the Company and on the 12th February,
1988, the matter was referred to the conciliation service of the
Labour Court. As no agreement could be reached at a conciliation
conference held on 13th April, 1988, the matter was referred to
the Labour Court on 22nd April, 1988, for investigation and
recommendation. A Court hearing took place on 15th June, 1988, in
Letterkenny.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The rates of pay of the workers concerned are way out of
line with rates of pay that are paid generally (details
supplied to the Court).
2. It is normal practice to have an incremental scale for
clerical staff. Without it, the workers cannot plan ahead,
as they does not know what their salary will be in 7 or 8
years time and therefore cannot make a decision whether or not
to invest time in the Company. The Court is requested to
recommend the proposed salary scale and the point at which
each of the 3 workers presently employed should be assimilated
onto it.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The rates of pay of the workers concerned are fair, having
regard to both the size of the Company. The industry within
which it operates is very competitive and only the fittest
companies survive. The Company could not sustain the rates
being sought by the Union.
2. The rates of pay for office workers in the shirtmaking
industry in the region are extremely competitive. As far as
the Company is aware, the Union is not represented in these
companies and the Company is concerned that it is being used
as a stepping-stone by the Union for claims in other
companies.
3. In the event of a promotional opportunity arising for any
of the workers concerned the Company would be happy to explore
that opportunity. Indeed, recently a 4th member of the
clerical staff received a promotion.
4. The Company has regularly implemented increases based on
merit for each of the clerical workers. These increases were
granted having due regard to the general competence of the
worker concerned. The current rate of £118.85 is the
equivalent to the job class 1 rate in the Shirtmaking and Tie
Making Joint Labour Committee.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. Having regard to the number of workers concerned the Court
does not consider the introduction of a salary scale appropriate
in this case. Having further regard to the general level of
incomes within the Company itself, the Court recommends an initial
salary of £90 rising to a maximum of £125 with increases based on
ability and experience, with appropriate plus rates for staff with
additional skills and responsibilities. The Court further
recommends that the rate of those currently on £118.85 be
increased to £125.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
________________________
29th July, 1988. Deputy Chairman
B.O'N./J.C.