Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD89746 Case Number: LCR12692 Section / Act: S67 Parties: OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS - and - IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION |
Claim on behalf of supervisor guides and guides/information officers employed at various national monuments for an increase in pay rates.
Recommendation:
5. Having regard to the duties and responsibilities of these
workers, the Court is of the opinion that a higher rate than that
offered by the Office of Public Works is warranted and accordingly
recommends that guides/information officers be placed on a scale
ranging from Point 5 of the Clerical Officer scale to Point 10 of
the same scale. The Court further recommends that Supervisors be
placed on a scale ranging from Point 15 of the Clerical Officer
scale to Point 4 of the Staff Officer scale, the increases to be
paid in accordance with the terms of the Programme for National
Recovery.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Brennan Mr Devine
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD89746 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR12692
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
SECTION 67
PARTIES: OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of supervisor guides and guides/information
officers employed at various national monuments for an increase in
pay rates.
BACKGROUND:
2. The workers concerned are employed at various national
monuments around the country (Newgrange, Glendalough and Rock of
Cashel for example). Their rates of pay are related to points on
the Civil Service clerical officer scale (the supervisors are on
point 4, currently #144.56 and the guides are on point 1,
currently #125.72). The Union considers this inadequate and is
seeking the full C.O. scale for the guide/information officers
(#125.72 x 14 to #226.30) and the staff officer scale for
supervisors (#226.37 x 7 to #271.88). Management rejected this
and offered the first four points of the Clerical Officer's scale
to the guides (#125.72 - #131.89 - #137.13 - #144.45) and points 5
to 10 on the C.O. scale for supervisors (#151.84 - #159.34 -
#164.37 - #169.63 - #174.40 - #179.46). This was rejected by the
Union. Following the failure of local discussions, the matter was
referred to the conciliation service of the Labour Court on the
25th May, 1989. A conciliation conference on the 9th October
(earliest suitable date) failed to resolve the dispute and the
matter was referred to the Labour Court for investigation and
recommendation. A Court hearing was held on the 16th
November,1989.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. Neither the current rates of pay nor Management's offer
adequately reflect the duties and responsibilities of the
workers concerned (details of duties and responsibilities
supplied to the Court).
2. The claimants perform an important role for the State. It
is expected that some 125,000 people will visit the Rock
Cashel in 1989 (an increase of 20,000 over the previous year).
This will generate revenue of approximately #90,000). In
addition, by the end of the year Newgrange will receive
approximately 120,000 visitors, bringing in a revenue of
#150,000. The claimants are also expected to liaise with Bord
Failte, travel agents, film crews etc. and must at all times
give a favourable impression, especially to foreign visitors.
3. The O.P.W. has acknowledged the importance of the work
performed by the claimants but is restrained by the Department
of Finance from making an improved offer. This is grossly
unfair to a highly motivated group of workers who are to the
forefront of the tourist industry.
MANAGEMENT'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. If conceded, the claim on behalf of supervisors would
represent a pay increase of #81.81 (56.6%) at the minimum
point of the scale to #127.32 (88.07%) at the maximum.
Similarly, concession of the claim on behalf of guides would
result in increases ranging from #6.17 (4.9%) to #100.58
(80%).
2. Management accepts the claims have merit but does not
accept that increases of the magnitude claimed could be
justified. The offers made are generous. If accepted, the
supervisors would receive pay increases ranging from #7.28
(5%) to #34.90 (24.14%) and the guides #18.84 (almost 15%) at
the maximum point.
3. In examining the claims, Management had regard not only to
the duties and responsibilities of the two grades concerned
but also to the duties and responsibilities of the grades with
which parity is claimed. It is quite satisfied that there is
a considerable difference between the two (details supplied to
the Court).
RECOMMENDATION:
5. Having regard to the duties and responsibilities of these
workers, the Court is of the opinion that a higher rate than that
offered by the Office of Public Works is warranted and accordingly
recommends that guides/information officers be placed on a scale
ranging from Point 5 of the Clerical Officer scale to Point 10 of
the same scale. The Court further recommends that Supervisors be
placed on a scale ranging from Point 15 of the Clerical Officer
scale to Point 4 of the Staff Officer scale, the increases to be
paid in accordance with the terms of the Programme for National
Recovery.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
_________________________
8th January, 1990 Deputy Chairman.
D.H./J.C.