Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD88858 Case Number: LCR12361 Section / Act: S67 Parties: PRETTY POLLY (KILLARNEY) LIMITED - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim, on behalf of seven maintenance craftsmen, for the introduction of a production related bonus scheme.
Recommendation:
5. Having considered the submissions made by the parties and in
particular the history of the development of the elements of wages
paid to maintenance craftsmen, the Court does not find grounds to
support the Union's claim for the introduction of a production
related bonus scheme. The Court accordingly does not recommend
concession of the Union's claim.
Division: Mr Fitzgerald Mr Heffernan Mr O'Murchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD88858 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR12361
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: PRETTY POLLY (KILLARNEY) LIMITED
AND
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim, on behalf of seven maintenance craftsmen, for the
introduction of a production related bonus scheme.
BACKGROUND:
2. This claim was originally submitted several years ago and was
the subject of both local level discussions and two conciliation
conferences at which no agreement was reached. In March, 1986,
the issue was referred to the Labour Court for investigation and
recommendation but was withdrawn by the Union prior to the Court
hearing. Since that time the claim has been listed in the local
wage agreements, including the present one (PNR) as an exempted
claim which could be raised again at any time. It was
re-activated in 1988 and was one of the issues dealt with at a
conciliation conference on the 6th October, 1988. As no agreement
could be reached the matter was referred to the Labour Court for
investigation and recommendation on the 24th November. A Court
hearing was held in Tralee on the 5th April, 1989 (earliest
suitable date).
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The claimants comprise of five fitters (one of whom works
a day operation only while the other four work on over-lapping
weekends and a call-out system), one painter and one
carpenter. The commitment and flexibility that they give to
their jobs fully justifies their long held aspiration of
attaining a full and proper bonus payment system which would
be in line with almost all other departments throughout the
plant.
3. 2. The craftsmen's basic rate of pay, when taken in
isolation, is by comparative standards quite low. The
claimants' pay structure is as follows:-
#
Basic 161.67
Efficiency award 36.15
Vat dyehouse 14.79
Average overlap 24.23
__________
TOTAL 236.84
The efficiency award was conceded because it was
self-financing - it required the amalgamation of the Knitting
Room Maintenance Department and the Factory Maintenance
Department and resulted in two job losses (two full-time
craftsmen). The average overlap payment is for work done one
weekend in every four (by agreement with the Company it is
paid every week on an average basis) and also takes account of
a call-out system.
3. Any time the Union tried to negotiate a bonus scheme the
Company always argued in favour of a scheme in terms of
efficiency or productivity. Any payments that have been
achieved have been as a result of rationalisation programmes
throughout the years.
4. The claimants have always co-operated with on-going
change. The recent changes in the Finishing Department could
have a significant affect on the amount of call-outs from
mid-night onwards (details supplied to the Court). Again,
there was no consideration given to the maintenance crew in
this regard.
5. The claimants are involved in work which can be considered
genuine productivity. For example, the carpenter has been
called upon at various times to repair roofs. In the past
this type of work would be carried out by a contractor. The
fitters are from time to time involved in the installation of
pipelines, work which in the parent company is subcontracted.
6. Consideration should be given to the fact that most other
sections in the Company received increases in line with
negotiated settlements when affected by rationalisation. The
Maintenance Department touches upon every section that has
been rationalised and there is justification for paying a
bonus scheme, in line with what the rest of the factory is
earning.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The provision of heating, ventilating, air conditioning
and compressed-air services for production departments is a
normal maintenance activity. With the exception of the Dye
Department, the production machinery in the other production
departments is repaired and maintained by each department's
own specialist mechanical personnel.
2. The repair and maintenance of Dye Department equipment has
always been undertaken by the claimants. Their involvement on
the new machinery installed in the Dye Department was
specifically recognised in the 1981 award to maintenance craft
personnel (details supplied to the Court). As it was not
feasible to operate a direct work measurement based bonus
scheme with so small a craft group, or to connect the
performance of the craft group with the performance level
across various departments, the Company in 1983 put forward
the manning level reduction and amalgamation proposal
contained in the 1983 Craft Agreement. As a result of the
1981 award and the 1983 Agreement, the claimants enjoy
efficiency and proficiency awards totalling #50.94 per week.
This is generally in excess of the individual, group or
machine efficiency bonus levels earned by other personnel.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. Having considered the submissions made by the parties and in
particular the history of the development of the elements of wages
paid to maintenance craftsmen, the Court does not find grounds to
support the Union's claim for the introduction of a production
related bonus scheme. The Court accordingly does not recommend
concession of the Union's claim.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court,
Nicholas Fitzgerald
_______________________
28th April, 1989.
D. H. / M. F. Deputy Chairman.