Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD92347 Case Number: LCR13743 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: IRISH PRESS NEWSPAPERS LIMITED - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Claim on behalf of messenger boys for an increase in rates of pay and holiday entitlements.
Recommendation:
7. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court has come to the conclusion that as a result of changes which
have taken place over the past few years the potential
for promotion of the messenger grade have become very restricted.
In the circumstances which presently obtain the Court recommends
that management revert to interviewing each messenger at age 21
and informing them of their prospects of promotion.
The Court further recommends that the Management and Union
negotiate a rate commensurate with rates prevailing in the paper
for those messengers who choose to stay and who are aged 25 years
and over and for whom no promotional outlet has been found.
The Court also recommends that the Company continue its policy of
providing training and otherwise assisting messengers to improve
their job prospects.
Division: Mr O'Connell Mr Keogh Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD92347 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR13743
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1) INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES: IRISH PRESS NEWSPAPERS LIMITED
and
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Claim on behalf of messenger boys for an increase in rates of
pay and holiday entitlements.
BACKGROUND:
2. Traditionally people employed in the grade of messenger boy
progressed to clerical and other jobs within the Company. Due to
staff reductions promotional outlets have declined and the age
profile has increased.
3. The present rate of pay for messengers is #124 per week for
day work and #157 per week for night work. The Union lodged a
claim for the introduction of an adult rate and for an increase in
annual leave. The Company rejected the claim. The current annual
leave entitlement is 3 weeks plus 4 days rising to 4 years next
year.
4. The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission
on 26th March, 1992. A conciliation conference was held on 18th
May, 1992. As no agreement was reached the Commission, with the
consent of the parties, referred the dispute to the Labour Court
on 11 June 1992 for investigation and recommendation under Section
26(1)(a)(b) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Court
hearing took place on 6th July, 1992.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
5. 1. The messenger boy grade was originally a starting point
in the Company and messengers could expect to progress to
other areas at age 21. Due to rationalisation and
reorganisation within the Company staff numbers have dropped
with a consequential decline in promotional outlets.
Accordingly the age profile of the messengers has increased.
2. The present pay rates are inadequate as some of the
messengers are married with families to support.
3. The messengers have contributed their fair share to
rationalisation within the Company.
4. The messengers were recently included in the Company
pension scheme at age 25 which reflects the lack of
promotional opportunities.
5. The messengers are seeking an increase in annual leave
entitlement in line with the rest of the workers within the
Company.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
6. 1. The Supplemental Agreement for Messengers uniquely
benefited messengers as they received increases in salary and
annual leave entitlements with a reduction in the working
week(details supplied to the Court).
2. The Company is committed to the ongoing development of
its messengers staff. Some have been given training in the
Press Department which affords them opportunities of enhanced
earnings.
3. The workers are now included in the Company pension
scheme at age 25.
4. All avenues of promotion have not been closed for
messengers. Some have been successfully redeployed to other
areas.
5. Concession of the Union's claim could have knock-on
effects in other Departments.
RECOMMENDATION:
7. Having considered the submissions made by the parties the
Court has come to the conclusion that as a result of changes which
have taken place over the past few years the potential
for promotion of the messenger grade have become very restricted.
In the circumstances which presently obtain the Court recommends
that management revert to interviewing each messenger at age 21
and informing them of their prospects of promotion.
The Court further recommends that the Management and Union
negotiate a rate commensurate with rates prevailing in the paper
for those messengers who choose to stay and who are aged 25 years
and over and for whom no promotional outlet has been found.
The Court also recommends that the Company continue its policy of
providing training and otherwise assisting messengers to improve
their job prospects.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John O'Connell
21st August, 1992 ------------------------------------
M.D./M.H.
Deputy Chairman.
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Michael Daughen, Court Secretary.