Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD93476 Case Number: LCR14261 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Parity of working hours with Dublin College of Music.
Recommendation:
The Court, having considered all of the issues raised by the
parties in their submissions, does not find grounds for concession
of the Union's claim for a reduction in the number of teaching
hours weekly.
The Court recommends that the number of annual working weeks be
reduced to 35 in the year 1994/'95.
The Court so recommends.
Division: MrMcGrath Mr Brennan Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD93476 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14261
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES: ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC
(REPRESENTED BY THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION)
AND
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Parity of working hours with Dublin College of Music.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute concerns a claim by 22 full-time music teachers
in the Academy. The claim is to reduce from 36 to 35 the number
of working weeks annually and to reduce from 22 to 20 or 16
(depending on grade) the number of teaching hours weekly. In
Labour Court Recommendation L.C.R. 6544, of 12th August, 1981 the
Court had awarded the R.I.A.M. teachers working hours parity (22
per week) with teachers in the College of Music.
The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission on 7th
February, 1991. A number of conciliation and local conferences
took place but no agreement was reached. On 4th August 1993, the
dispute was referred to the Labour Court under Section 26(1) of
the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took
place on 2nd November, 1993.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. In Labour Court Recommendation L.C.R. 6544 the Court
awarded the R.I.A.M. teachers pay parity and working hours'
parity (22 per week) with teachers in the College of Music.
It is unfair that teachers in the Academy should work one
extra week per annum and between 2 and 6 extra hours
(depending on grade) teaching per week.
2. Teachers in the Academy spend the entire 22 hours per
week teaching. Teachers in the College spend 16 or 20 hours
per week (depending on grade) teaching. The remaining time
(2 or 6 hours) can be spent on preparation of classes.
Teachers in the Academy must make preparations outside of
working hours.
3. The Union is prepared to accept implementation of
reduced teaching hours on a phased basis.
ACADEMY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Comparisons between teaching grades in the Academy and
the College are unfair. Teachers in the College spend 16 or
20 hours per week (depending on grade) teaching. In
addition, College teachers must set and mark exam papers and
interview and examine students. Teachers in the Academy who
work beyond the 22 hours per week do so on a voluntary basis
and receive additional payment.
2. Examinations in the College take place in the week
before Christmas. The teachers are on call throughout the
week and can be tabled at any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
College teachers may also be asked by the College Principal
to work one evening per week. Academy teachers are allowed
far greater flexibility in deciding what hours to work each
week. An Academy teacher who is ill for more than a week is
replaced by a deputy. Academy teachers have a greater degree
of freedom in choosing pupils than College teachers.
3. The cost of conceding the Union's claim would be a loss
of 4,176 teaching hours per annum and a financial loss of
#43,848 per annum. The cost of employing part time teachers
to make up for time lost would be #88,000 (details supplied).
4. The reduction in hours for Academy teachers would lead
to a reduction in teaching hours on Saturday, which is the
only day available for country students.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court, having considered all of the issues raised by the
parties in their submissions, does not find grounds for concession
of the Union's claim for a reduction in the number of teaching
hours weekly.
The Court recommends that the number of annual working weeks be
reduced to 35 in the year 1994/'95.
The Court so recommends.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
30th November, 1993 Tom McGrath
C.O'N./A.L. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should by addressed to
Mr. Ciaran O'Neill, Court Secretary.