LCR13408

Subject:
Payment of an allowance for computer operating.

Recommendation:
5. The Court having considered the views of the parties finds no
grounds for concession of the Union's claim.

The Court so recommends.

Division: MrMcGrath Mr McHenry Mr Walsh

Text of Document__________________________________________________________________

CD91353 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR13408

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 67, INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1946


PARTIES: PENNEYS LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERATION OF IRISH EMPLOYERS)

and

IRISH DISTRIBUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRADE UNION

SUBJECT:
1. Payment of an allowance for computer operating.

BACKGROUND;
2. Computerisation was introduced into the Company in 1980.
Originally six key punch operators were employed and in addition
to normal pay they were paid a computer allowance of four pounds
per week. Since 1987 computerisation has been introduced on a
phased basis, into the Accounts Section. The Union claim that an
increasing number of staff are operating computers and that they
should be paid the computer allowance. The Company sees no
justification in paying the allowance. It claims that computer
operation is a normal part of modern office procedure. The Union
referred the matter to the conciliation service of the Labour
Court. The hearing took place on 5th July, 1990. As no agreement
was reached the matter was referred to a full hearing of the
Labour Court for investigation and recommendation. The Court
investigated the matter on 11th September, 1991.

UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. Some clerical staff operate computers all day, everyday.
The claim does not involve the introduction of a new payment
but the extension of the existing key punch operators'
allowance to all computer operators. Key punch operators are
paid the allowance but thirteen clerical staff in the Accounts
Section, doing identical work to that of key punch operators,
are not paid the allowance.

COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. There is no basis for the payment of an allowance to staff
who operate computers. Computers have been introduced into
all sections of the Company in order to maintain
competitiveness. In similar claims, in other employments, the
Labour Court has not recommended additional payments for
operating computers.


2. Key punch operators are trained to speeds of 15,000 key
depressions per hour. When key punch operators are absent,
they are replaced by skilled staff from an outside agency.

3. The Company makes a bonus payment to all staff. This
payment is made for full co-operation in accepting,
implementing and operating new and improved systems to meet
the requirements of the business.

4. Concession of the Union's claim could have repercussions
within the Company and the trade generally.

RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court having considered the views of the parties finds no
grounds for concession of the Union's claim.

The Court so recommends.
~

Signed on behalf of the Labour Court


Tom McGrath
___________________
25th September, 1991. Deputy Chairman
F.B./J.C.