Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD89230 Case Number: LCR12382 Section / Act: S67 Parties: IRISH PRESS - and - NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS;AMALGAMATED ENGINEERING UNION;NATIONAL GRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION;IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION;NO. 2 AND NO. 16 BRANCHES;IRISH PRINT UNION;SALES, MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNION OF IREL |
The proposed implementation of a Corporate Plan.
Recommendation:
Due to technical difficulties the recommendation does not appear
in the recommendation field. The recommendation can be seen by
displaying the full document.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Heffernan
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
AND
Worker: Ms. Ni Mhurchu
Body:
CD89230 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR12382
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: IRISH PRESS
and
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
AMALGAMATED ENGINEERING UNION
NATIONAL GRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
(NO. 2 AND NO. 16 BRANCHES)
IRISH PRINT UNION
SALES, MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNION OF IRELAND
SUBJECT:
1. The proposed implementation of a Corporate Plan.
BACKGROUND:
2. The issue has been the subject of discussions at various
levels in recent months. A Labour Court conciliation conference
took place in October, 1988 and, following a number of meetings in
the meantime, a full Court hearing commenced on 21st March, 1989.
A number of further meetings with the parties have taken place
since that date. The Court's recommendation is set out hereunder.
RECOMMENDATION:
Due to technical difficulties the recommendation does not appear
in the recommendation field. The recommendation can be seen by
displaying the full document.
~
RECOMMENDATION -
3. Having heard the submissions and had discussion with the
parties concerned the Court has come to the following conclusions.
In the first place it should be stated that the Court is satisfied
that the present financial performance of the Company is not one
which can be long allowed to continue and that the future of the
group is in jeopardy. During discussions, most if not all of the
groups of workers made it clear to the Court that they understood
the difficulties under which the Company was operating, a fact
which is reflected in their current income levels compared to
those in other newspapers.
However, the situation has now been reached where major changes
are required as a matter of urgency as, in the Court's view, the
financial malaise is becoming critical.
Such changes can of course best be brought about by agreement and
with the full co-oporation of all parties concerned. In this
respect the Court is of the opinion that very grave differences of
perception have arisen because of the absence of an effective
Industrial Relations structure within the Group which would allow
for proper consultation and the clarification of different points
of view on issues as they arise. Such consultation, clarification
and discussion are necessary elements for the successful
conclusion of any negotiations.
The Court does not wish to make specific recommendations on this
matter at this time, it recommends however that the parties give
serious consideration to the establishment and maintenance of a
structure and a procedure that allows for the processing of issues
between the parties.
On certain major issues arising from the Corporate Plan on which
the parties appear to be unable to agree the Court has the
following comments to make.
Direct Input:
In the light of the Company's finances it is essential and urgent
that the parties begin the task of implementing the process as
quickly as the introduction of new equipment and the necessary
training will allow. It is however the view of the Court that it
is unrealistic of the Company, whatever the financial imperative,
to expect such drastic and fundamental changes from traditional
industrial practice to be implemented without at least the promise
of future benefits. It would also be unrealistic of the Unions
concerned to expect the payment of such benefits before the system
has been fully installed and the proper manning has been brought
about. Within these parameters it is suggested that the parties
attempt to negotiate a provisional increase which extends some
share of the advantages deriving from the change at a time when
the Company can afford to pay it.
As an unconditional preliminary to such negotiations the Court
recommends part 1 of the attached list of proposals for immediate
implementation.
5 Day Week:
It seems to the Court that the four day working system impinges
more immediately on the efficient operation of the editorial
department than on others. The working patterns deriving from the
system are expensive (in terms of accumulated time off in lieu)
and impair the quality of the papers and are unduly difficult to
manage. The Court is of the opinion that an eventual return to 5
day working would be preferable for the Group. Again it would be
unrealistic to expect the Company in its present state to make any
payment in return for the necessary change, and similarly
unrealistic to expect the editorial staff to make the concession
without some commitment to future payment by the Company, on a
similar basis to that applying to Direct Input. In the meantime
the Court suggest that the editorial staff ease the position by
adopting and negotiating a more pragmatic approach to rostering
which would not involve any sacrifice in principle.
Further, the Court, as an unconditional preliminary to
negotiation, recommends item 9 of the attached list of proposals
for immediate implementation.
Redundancies:
The Court in the first place confirms the Company's assurance that
all redundancies shall be voluntary. Given this assurance the
Court recommends that no obstacle be placed in the way of those
members of staff who wish to accept either the redundancy terms on
offer or early retirements, and also recommends immediate
negotiation and implementation of item 2 of the attached list of
proposals.
Finally the Company have put forward the attached list of proposed
changes which they contend could be implemented immediately
without sacrifice of principle by any group involved and which
would give immediate assistance to the Company in dealing with its
problems. To the extent that this is so the Court recommends that
these proposals be implemented without delay but would emphasise
that they are simply a start to major changes which are urgently
required if the papers are to survive in their present form.
Finally, the Court realises that long and difficult negotiations
will be required if the changes necessary are to be achieved. The
Court will make itself available to assist both parties in the
event of its services being required.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
9th May, 1989 --------------
A.K./U.S. Deputy Chairman
APPENDIX A
PROPOSALS
4th May, 1989
Re: Irish Press Plc. - Areas for Immediate Savings
Retirement/Redundancy Package
The above package should again be placed on offer for a stipulated
period. Union restrictions on members applying for their terms
would be lifted. This would allow all parties to identify the
exact numbers who wish to volunteer to leave the Company.
1. Direct Input
Immediate introduction of all elements of Direct Input
available to the Company; specifically these would
include:
(i) Entry of Classified and Display Advertising
without re-keying.
(ii) Wire Services on line including Racing,
Football, Financial Services and other agency
material.
(iii) More comprehensive use of the Harris 8300 PLS
(Page Layout System) to include make up of
Advertising Pages, including Advertising
Features and Editorial material where
appropriate.
Staff Reductions: 5 IPU Operatives
2 No. 16 ITGWU Operatives
(Copyholders)
Redeployments: It is hoped to redeploy
(2) suitable IPU
Operatives to Editorial
Total: 9
2. Closure of the Night Transport Operation
Operations to be replaced by Contractors.
Staff Reductions: 10 Drivers
1 Overseer
1 Mechanic Total: 12
3. Rationalisation of News/Art Editorial Desks:
Immediate re-organisation can save up to four(4)
Editorial Executives Total: 4
4. Clerical Staff Reductions:
(i) Editorial: Through pooling of staff
(inc. Copytakers) and activities 3
(ii) Library: Closure from 5.00 pm 1
(iii) Accounts: Less payroll processing and
payment by Credit Transfer 2
(iv) Circulation: One reduction can be
achieved 1
Total: -----
7
5. Circulation - District Managers/Circulation
Representatives:
Rationalisation in Sligo and Limerick areas will
bring a reduction of one (1) District Manager and
one (1) Circulation Representative respectively
Total: 2
6. Machine Room
Retirement of 1 Machine Assistant and the adoption
the eight (8) man manning on the Evening Press
Total: 1
7. Wire Room
With less workload arising out of Direct Input the
Dept. could progress to a one (1) man per shift
operation.
Retirement of 1 Operative Total: 1
8. Art Dept.
Redundancy of one (1) Photoprinter Total: 1
9. Five Shift Week
In the interests of improving the quality of our
publications the following is proposed:
(i) All Editorial Executives down to and inclusive
of staff paid at Assistant Editor level will
operate a five (5) shift - thirty five (35) hour
working week.
(ii) Supervisory Staff in the Operations Areas will
operate a five (5) shift - thirty five (35) hour
working week.
Note: Each shift will be of seven working hours
duration.
Areas Where Co-operation and Flexibility Would Generate Increased
Efficiency, Further Cost Savings and Enhance the Revenue of the
Company
------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Deployment of the Direct Advertising Representatives to
best competitive advantage.
(ii) Publication of our products on non publication days.
(iii) Agreement by District Managers to the payment of all
Newsagents' accounts by Direct Debit.
(iv) Editorial processing of Wire Service material on Harris
Terminals.
(v) Relocation of Wire Room Equipment in Departments to
which their use is most appropriate.