FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 20(2), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : NATIONAL REHABILITATION BOARD (REPRESENTED BY THE HEALTH SERVICE EMPLOYERS AGENCY) - AND - IRISH MUNICIPAL, PUBLIC AND CIVIL TRADE UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Duffy Employer Member: Mr Keogh Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Pay and grading claim on behalf of audiological scientists.
BACKGROUND:
2. The claim, which was first raised in 1995, concerns the grading and rate of pay of five community-based audiological scientists employed with the Board. At present, the Board is undergoing a dissolution process and the Union is seeking, on an interim basis, the application to its five members, of the Physicist pay-scale that applies to their three hospital-based colleagues. For over 30 years, the pay-scale of the community-based audiologists has been based on the Teachers' Common Basic Scale plus an allowance of £100 in lieu of lost holidays, and runs from £15,057 through 26 points to £29,172, plus allowances depending on individual qualifications. (The Physicist pay scale ranges from £20,651 to £56.697 per annum). The Union claims that the scale applying to the community-based audiologists is archaic and unnecessarily complicated and that a review of their pay and grade is long overdue.
The Board contends that the community-based audiologists do not do the same work as their hospital-based counterparts and that, therefore, the same rate of pay is not applicable.
The dispute was referred, by the parties, to the Labour Court, on the 18th May, 2000, in accordance with Section 20(2) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969, both parties agreeing to accept the recommendation of the Court. The dispute was investigated by the Court on the 9th June, 2000.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court considers that this case turns on whether the duties and work-content of community-based and hospital-based Audiological Scientists are equal in value. The Court is not in a position to make its own evaluation in that regard at this time.
It recommends that the parties jointly appoint an appropriate person to conduct such an evaluation in this particular case. The terms of reference for the evaluation should also be agreed between the parties.
The process should be completed not later than 31st August, 2000. The findings of the evaluation should be reported to the parties and to the Court. The Court will then, having considered any observations made by the parties, issue a definitive recommendation.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Kevin Duffy
13th June, 2000______________________
MK/MKDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Michael Keegan, Court Secretary.