Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD93464 Case Number: LCR14208 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: WESTERN CARE ASSOCIATION - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION;IRISH MUNICIPAL PUBLIC AND CIVIL TRADE UNION |
Introduction of staff pension scheme.
Recommendation:
5. The Court is satisfied that there is merit in the Unions'
claim and the employees concerned in the claim should therefore
have access to a Pension Scheme. The Court accordingly so
recommends.
The Court notes that discussions at national level are taking
place and sees an early and satisfactory conclusion to the talks
as an appropriate way of resolving the issue.
The Court therefore also recommends that initially the parties
make joint representations to the appropriate Authorities with a
view to expediting the introduction of a pension scheme for
employees of the Federation of Voluntary Bodies.
Division: Ms Owens Mr Keogh Mr Rorke
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD93464 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14208
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES: WESTERN CARE ASSOCIATION
(REPRESENTED BY THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION)
and
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
IRISH MUNICIPAL PUBLIC AND CIVIL TRADE UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Introduction of staff pension scheme.
BACKGROUND:
2. The 130 workers concerned are employed by the Association in
various grades which include social workers, speech therapists,
house parents, and care parents. The Association is a voluntary
body. It provides residential and day care for the mentally
handicapped in the Mayo area and is mainly funded by the Western
Health Board.
In early 1991, the Unions submitted a claim on behalf of the
workers concerned for the introduction of a pension scheme. Local
level discussions took place but no progress was made and the
matter was referred to the Labour Relations Commission. A
conciliation conference was held on 23rd July, 1993, but no
progress was made and the matter was referred to the Labour Court
on the 4th August, 1993. The Labour Court hearing took place in
Sligo on 14th September, 1993.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. An existing pension scheme in operation in the Association
was closed to new entrants in the mid-eighties.
2. In 1991, the Association indicated to the Unions that the
introduction of a new pension scheme was imminent.
3. The introduction of an occupational scheme is vital for
the well-being of the workers concerned. Workers cannot rely
on the state to provide them with an adequate pension scheme
in their retirement.
4. The workers concerned are willing to make contributions to
any reasonable pension schemes.
5. The National Health Agencies Superannuation Scheme or a
similar type scheme is suitable to meet the needs of the
workers concerned. This pension scheme is already in
operation in a number of voluntary agencies.
ASSOCIATION'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The cost of funding the pension scheme would be #235,000
per annum, or approximately 5.5 per cent of total budget.
Management has sought finance for the introduction of a
pension scheme from the Western Health Board. Management has
been informed that funding can only be made available for
on-going projects.
2. Concession of this claim would lead to projects on the
waiting list being left and services already implemented being
cut back. Cut backs in services would lead to a reduction in
employment of approximately 18 people.
3. Mentally handicapped agencies have an umbrella body, namely
the Federation of Voluntary Bodies, which is pursuing with the
Health Boards and the Department of Health the possible
introduction of a pension scheme and funding arrangements for
same. These negotiations are on-going. The Association
requests the Court not to recommend the introduction of a
pension scheme at this time, to allow for further dialogue to
take place at national level.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court is satisfied that there is merit in the Unions'
claim and the employees concerned in the claim should therefore
have access to a Pension Scheme. The Court accordingly so
recommends.
The Court notes that discussions at national level are taking
place and sees an early and satisfactory conclusion to the talks
as an appropriate way of resolving the issue.
The Court therefore also recommends that initially the parties
make joint representations to the appropriate Authorities with a
view to expediting the introduction of a pension scheme for
employees of the Federation of Voluntary Bodies.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Evelyn Owens
____________________
4th October, 1993. Deputy Chairman.
F.B./J.C.
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Fran Brennan, Court Secretary.