Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD89293 Case Number: LCR12469 Section / Act: S67 Parties: ALLIED IRISH BANK PLC - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim on behalf of 30 computer sorters for payment for the introduction of new technology.
Recommendation:
7. Having considered the submissions made by the parties and in
the light of the differential paid to the workers concerned as a
result of an assessment of their work in 1980 and the confirmation
in 1984 that the nature of their work had not changed, the Court
is of the opinion that the claim for payment for the introduction
of technological change cannot be sustained. The Court,
therefore, does not recommend concession of the claim.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Shiel Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD89293 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR12469
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: ALLIED IRISH BANK PLC
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of 30 computer sorters for payment for the
introduction of new technology.
BACKGROUND:
2. The workers concerned are employed in the despatch area of the
Bank's Data Centre in Donnybrook. Their duties are mainly the
handling of the Bank's internal mail, the collation, sorting and
despatch of varous items of paper such as cheques, statements,
computer print out reports and circulars, and general portering
duties.
3. Prior to 1980 bank porters carried out this work but, as a
result of an I.P.C. report, the grade of computer sorter was
established. Computer sorters received an increase of between 8%
and 11% of the porters rate in recognition of the type of work
they were engaged in.
4. In February, 1988 the Union lodged a claim for an increase of
7.50% in line with a similar increase granted to other grades plus a
once off payment of 5% of pensionable salary. The Union based its
claim on the fact that the workers concerned are operating new
machines which were introduced since the I.P.C. report. The Bank
rejected the claim. A number of meetings were held at local level
during 1988. As no progress was possible the matter was referred
to the conciliation service of the Labour Court on 9th March,
1989. A conciliation conference was held on 24th April, 1989. As
the parties could not reach agreement they consented to a referral
to the Labour Court for investigation and recommendation. A Court
hearing was held on the 15th June, 1989.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
5. 1. Since the I.P.C. report of 1980 which established the
grade of computer sorter, new technology has been introduced
which has considerably increased the value of work for the
workers concerned (details supplied to the Court).
2. The Union is seeking the increase of 7.50% for the workers
concerned as a similar increase was granted to bank officials
as an agreement for technology changes. It is the Union's
contention that the workers concerned are involved in the
operation of new technology. The fact that they are housed in
A.I.B. Computer Centre bears this point out.
3. In other banks, bank officials carry out similar duties to
those of the workers involved in this claim are paid rates of
pay in access of those applying to the workers here concerned.
4. Other staff not directly involved in the operation of new
technology have received the increase referred to i.e. crafts
people and some medical staff.
BANK'S ARGUMENTS:
6. 1. Computer sorters have been engaged in the same type of
work since 1975. New technology has not adversely impacted on
their workload. Some types of paper do not now go through the
system. However this has been replaced by other types of
paper and overall the workload has balanced out.
2. Computer sorters receive ongoing compensation for the
nature of their work as a result of the special 8% to 11%
differential awarded in 1980.
3. In June, 1984 the I.P.C. issued a report on the effects of
new technology on the work of porters, security guards and
related grades in the Associated Banks. The report which was
commissioned by the Associated Banks and the Union, concluded
that the nature of the work done by the computer sorters had
not changed as a result of new technology (details supplied to
the Court).
4. It is the Banks view that the claim, as it is a cost
increasing one, is in breach of the Programme for National
Recovery (P.N.R.). In any event the Bank considers the claim
to be without substance and rejected it on its merits.