FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION AUTOMOBILE, GENERAL ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL OPERATIVES UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Keogh Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Claim for relocation allowance.
BACKGROUND:
2. In June, 1992, the Council proposed to build a new depot at Ballymount Road to replace the existing depots at Greenhills Road and Robinhood Industrial Estate. The new depot has been ready for occupation since 1997.
The Unions are claiming, on behalf of approximately 200 workers, an increase in travelling time allowance or a lump sum payment for the inconvenience and added expense due to the relocation.
The Council rejects the claim. It states that the present travelling time allowance of a half hour per day at double time is sufficient and that the workers are moving to a new depot with more modern facilities.
The dispute was the subject of two conciliation conferences under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission held on the 12th of February, 1999 and on the 16th of February, 1999. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 4th of June, 1999.
UNIONS' ARGUMENTS:
1. Workers will find it more difficult to report to the new depot as it is in an out of the way location with no proper public transport.
2. It will take extra time each day for the workers concerned to report to the new depot.
3. The Union is seeking an increase in the travelling time allowance or payment of a lump sum to each worker concerned.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
1. Workers are moving to a new and more modern depot.
2. Under the travel allowance scheme staff may be required to report to any location within a four mile radius. The new depot is within the four mile radius of both Greenhills and Robinhood depots. The present travelling time allowance of one hour per day is sufficient.
3. The Council made a final offer that each worker concerned be paid the equivalent of 20 hours' basic pay. This was rejected by the Unions.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given consideration to the arguments put forward on both sides and is of the view that this dispute should be resolved by the County Council re-submitting the offer made to the Unions on the 8th of April, 1999, when they offered to pay each staff member involved in the move from Greenhills and Robinhood Depots, a sum of money equivalent to 20 hours basic pay, for their full co-operation for the move to Ballymount.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
22nd June, 1999______________________
GB/BCDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.