FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : GREENCORE GROUP PLC - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Flood Employer Member: Mr Pierce Worker Member: Ms Ni Mhurchu |
1. Rehearing arising from LCR15433.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Court investigated the above dispute on 14th May, 1997. The Court's recommendation is as follows:-
RECOMMENDATION:
In making this recommendation as a means of resolving this long running and damaging dispute the Court has taken into account all the written and oral submissions made by the parties. In addition, the Court has taken into account the information supplied in relation to the discussions, chaired by the Labour Relations Commission, since the last Court hearing.
The Court notes that there is agreement between the parties on the following:-
(a) The handling of additional retrospection payments for normal job holders arising from previous Labour Relations Commission agreements - 1994, 95, 96.
(b) The job holders in receipt of rates on a red-circle basis through previous agreements will continue to be paid on the basis of the new rates for the red-circle position.
(c) The need to find a formula to prevent a recurrence of the current industrial relations situation.
(d) Any safety issues arising from the new arrangements should be discussed locally.
The Court accepts the Union commitment in relation to ongoing change as outlined in its submissions (Page 3, No. 7) to the Court.
Recommendation:
1. The employees to accept the Grading Structure proposed by the I.P.C., the position of various jobs within that structure and the proposals for future re-evaluation within the structure.
2.Grading Rates
The following grade rates to apply:-
Effective from 1st October, 1997
Grade 4 - £7.10 per hour
Grade 3 - £6.72
Grade 2 - £6.34
Grade 1 - £5.96
In addition the new promotional Grade 5, presently unoccupied, to be paid at £7.50 per hour.
Effective from 1st May, 1997
Grade 4 - £6.75
Grade 3 - £6.37
Grade 2 - £6.02
Grade 1 - £5.67
3.Retrospection
Once-off lump sum of £1,000 to be paid to each permanent employee. Present part-time employees to receive a pro-rata payment and each campaign worker to receive £250.
4.Minimum Gain
The Company offer, as outlined, of a minimum gain of 20p per hour to be increased to 25p per hour.
5.Additives
The above rates will be fully inclusive of all additives in line with the I.P.C. report which stated that they should no longer apply. In future any employee may be required to carry out climbing and rigging duties in the campaign and/or off season without additional payment.
Designated fire-fighting and first aid teams will be set up in Carlow, Mallow and Thurles. Each team member will receive an annual non-pensionable payment of £400 to permanent employees and £150 to temporary employees.
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Finally, the Court would strongly recommend to the parties that they give serious consideration to using an outside agency, such as the Advisory Service of the Labour Relations Commission, to examine the current industrial relations procedures with a view to recommending any changes necessary to improve the situation in the future.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Finbarr Flood
15th May, 1997______________________
F.B./D.T.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Fran Brennan, Court Secretary.