FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : ROBERT ROBERTS LIMITED (REPRESENTED BY THE IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Flood Employer Member: Mr McHenry Worker Member: Mr. Somers |
1. Review of rates of pay for Clerical Administrative staff.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Company manufactures and distributes a wide range of Fast Moving Consumer Goods from its premises in Broomhill Road, Tallaght. It employs approximately 180 staff.
The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of Clerical Administrative staff that their gross annual salary be increased to £17,000 at the top of the scale. The Company made an offer to increase the salary which was rejected by the Union as being insufficient.
The dispute could not be resolved at local level. The dispute was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission held on the 14th of February, 2000. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 30th of May, 2000, under Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 29th of June, 2000.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. Warehouse operatives negotiated increases which were implemented in December, 1999. The two manufacturing units negotiated and agreed a significant productivity based increase. The workers concerned should receive an increase in salary.
2. The Company has expanded over the years and the workload has increased for the workers concerned.
3. The current annual salary is low and must be improved significantly.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The introduction of new technology has lightened the workload for the workers concerned.
2. The proposal made is fair and reasonable and should be accepted.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court considered the written and oral submissions made by the parties. The Court having considered the information before it, recommends that employees accept the Company proposal subject to the following modification:
The Company offer to increase each point on the proposed scale, based on a 35 hour week by £250, to be increased by a further £200 on each point.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Finbarr Flood
2nd August, 2000______________________
G.B./C.C.Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.