FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : HSEA (DUBLIN VOLUNTARY HEALTH BOARD HOSPITALS) (REPRESENTED BY SE O'CONNOR) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Pierce Worker Member: Mr. Somers |
1. Euro conversion bonus.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Union is seeking a special £500 (634.87 euro) bonus payment for its members in respect of the introduction of the euro for personnel employed on cash handling duties in Voluntary and Health Board hospitals in the Dublin area.
The workers concerned are employed in restaurants and hospital shops. The Union claims that there will be additional work involved particularly during the transition period when both currencies will have to be handled simultaneously.
Management rejected the claim and stated that they were not in a position to concede to the payment of any such bonus.
As no agreement was possible between the parties, the dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission. A conciliation conference was held on the 22nd November, 2001 but no agreement was reached. The dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 30th of November, 2001, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. The Court investigated the dispute on the 12th of December, 2001.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The workers have undertaken the necessary training and will be actively involved in all aspects of the Euro changeover from January, 2002.
2. The staff concerned are presently in receipt of a cash allowance in recognition of their responsibility in handling cash.
3. Other sections within the Health Sector such as the I.T. area and payroll section will receive an award despite no frontline activity.
4. The claim is about recognition and fairness for members who will be working in the frontline on this special occasion.
MANAGEMENT'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. There is no justification for this claim. The workers have a cash handling allowance and the conversion to the Euro is a normal ongoing transition.
2. Employers have invested a lot of time training staff involved in the handling of cash. They have been appropriately trained for the changeover to the Euro.
3. The core business of Health Agency employees is the provision of health services which is funded centrally by the tax payer.
4. This claim cannot be treated in isolation from other health and public service employees and in this regard concession would have serious repercussive implications.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has considered the position of both sides. The Court is of the view that handling the euro for those workers involved in this claim can reasonably be considered as ongoing change and therefore, concession of the claim is not recommended.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
17th December, 2001______________________
LW/CCDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Larry Wisely, Court Secretary.