Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD95312 Case Number: LCR14829 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: DRAMMOCK LIMITED (THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION) - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Rates of pay for pulpmen.
Recommendation:
The Court given all of the circumstances put forward by the
parties in their oral and written submissions does not recommend
concession of the Unions claim.
Division: Mr McGrath Mr Keogh Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD95312 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14829
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES:
DRAMMOCK LIMITED
(REPRESENTED BY THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS CONFEDERATION)
AND
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Rates of pay for pulpmen.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Company manufactures disposable nappies and sanitary
towels and employs 80 workers. The dispute relates to 6
workers who are employed as pulpmen. Pulpmen are drawn from
the packer grade in the Company. Their duties include
ensuring materials are supplied onto the production line and
loading pulp onto spindles, removing waste from lines,
housekeeping and cleaning, providing relief and cover for
breaks. The pulpmen assist operators who have overall
responsibility for the line. In recent years the Company
installed new machinery and the Union claimed that the
workers concerned were given additional duties and
responsibilities which warrant an increase in pay.
Management rejected the claim. The dispute was referred to
the Labour Relations Commission and a conciliation conference
was held on the 8th May, 1995. Agreement was not possible
and the dispute was referred to the Labour Court by the
Labour Relations Commission on the 22nd May, 1995. A Court
hearing has held on the 27th June, 1995.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. Pulpmen's duties were originally very basic and rotated
among all packers during their weekly shift. Duties are
now more complex. Pulpman is now a position in its own
right with extra duties and responsibilities. These
duties have been taken from operators who now have more
time to watch machines.
2. The Company/Union Agreement provides that workers who do
higher duties may receive a higher rate of pay. It is
unfair of the Company to require pulpmen to undertake
higher duties on a permanent basis without an increase
in pay. The Union's claim is reasonable. A new grade
has been created by the Company and an appropriate rate
should be paid.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Although there have been some changes to the pulpmen's
jobs they do not represent additional duties. Pulpmen's
responsibilities have not changed. Support of all line
staff is necessary for efficient production; however,
the key responsibility for machine operation rests with
the machine operator.
2. Change is ongoing in the industry to meet production
requirements in a highly competitive low margin
business. Workers in the Company have co-operated with
ongoing change in the past.
3. The claim is cost increasing and is precluded under
Clause 6 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
4. Concession of the claim would lead to repercussive
claims from other grades within the plant.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court given all of the circumstances put forward by the
parties in their oral and written submissions does not recommend
concession of the Unions claim.
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Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
28th July , 1995 Tom McGrath
T.O'D./D.T. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Tom O'Dea, Court Secretary.