Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD94643 Case Number: LCR14680 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: BORD NA MONA - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Clerical Grading.
Recommendation:
The Court considered the submissions written and oral made by both
parties. Based on the Court hearing, and taking into account the
good industrial relations record in the Company, the Court is of
the view that there is merit in further discussions taking place
between the parties in order to resolve this issue.
These discussions to be completed within 5 weeks from date of
issue of this Recommendation. In the event of agreement not being
reached either party can refer back to the Court for a final
Recommendation on these issues.
Division: Mr Flood Mr Pierce Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD94643 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14680
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES:
BORD NA MONA
AND
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Clerical Grading.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Company is proposing changes to its clerical grading
structures in the Wages/Costing sections at two locations,
Derrygreenagh and Mountdillion. The grading structure has
been the subject of internal negotiations dating back to
1993. The changes proposed are in relation to the overall
rationalisation and work system changes which have taken
place in Bord Na Mona since 1988. The Company is
streamlining all of its operations to reduce its cost base.
The Union objected to any changes in the present structures.
The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission
and a conciliation conference was held on the 20th April,
1994 and 8th September, 1994. No agreement was possible and
the dispute was referred to the Labour Court in accordance
with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 on
9th November, 1994. The Court investigated the dispute on
26th January, 1995.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union is objecting to a proposal to amalgamate
clerical duties (Grade III to Grade I) at Derrygreenagh
and Mountdillion. Any changes proposed should be
negotiated and not unilaterally imposed by Management.
A joint Union/Management Committee on clerical grading
was set up in June 1980. That Committee's graded Wages
Clerks and Costing Clerks in Derrygreenagh and
Mountdillion at Grade III.
2. Management are aware that its proposal would lead to
further stagnation in the lower clerical grade with no
opportunity for those on Grade I to advance any further.
This has been a constant source of concern to Union
members over the past number of years and the current
proposal will make the situation dramatically worse.
The Union does not accept that the introduction of new
technology deskills clerical work at the senior level
grade. The Company should maintain the status quo until
such time as changes are negotiated through to agreed
procedures.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The proposed grading structures at Derrygreenagh and
Mountdillion have been the subject of internal
negotiations since 1993. The changes should be viewed
in conjuction with the overall rationalisation and work
system changes which have taken place in the Company
since 1988. As a result of the serious financial
position of the Company it is necessary to examine all
areas of the business with a view to streamlining
operations and lowering costs. In the past 5 years,
2,500 employees have availed of the Company's redundancy
package. At Derrygreenagh and Mountdillion employment
numbers have reduced by 50%.
2. In 1989 the Company decided to divide its operations
into 3 separate divisions of which the Peat Energy
Division is the largest. While the initial change
focused on production operations it was also decided
that 'Works Administration' would undergo change. The
unions were advised that savings of #220,000 was
required in the clerical/administration area. The
Company informed the Unions that it proposed to transfer
the wages/costing functions to a centralised location in
order to achieve the proposed savings. The decision was
taken in line with the reduction in employee numbers and
the introduction of new technology in the area.
3. The introduction of new technology in the costing area
has replaced a time consuming manual system with a
modern computerised system. This means that budgets and
reports are produced within a much shorter time-frame.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court considered the submissions written and oral made by both
parties. Based on the Court hearing, and taking into account the
good industrial relations record in the Company, the Court is of
the view that there is merit in further discussions taking place
between the parties in order to resolve this issue.
These discussions to be completed within 5 weeks from date of
issue of this Recommendation. In the event of agreement not being
reached either party can refer back to the Court for a final
Recommendation on these issues.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
14th February, 1995. Finbarr Flood
L.W./M.M. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Larry Wisely, Court Secretary.