FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 20(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : GENEALOGY AND HERITAGE CENTRES - AND - IRISH MUNICIPAL, PUBLIC AND CIVIL TRADE UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Flood Employer Member: Mr Pierce Worker Member: Ms Ni Mhurchu |
1. Rate of pay for managers of genealogy and heritage centres.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Union has submitted a pay claim on behalf of twenty-six managers employed at genealogy and heritage centres. It claims that the rates of pay for these workers have not been increased for some time. The Union states that the salary for these workers is substantially out of line when compared with staff in Fás and equivalent staff in community workshops.
Fás states that it is not the employer of these workers. It claims that they are employed by various community groups which receive a contribution through Fás as a funding agent towards the cost of employing these workers. The level of funding is decided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The dispute was referred by the Union to the Labour Court under Section 20 (1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969 and agreed to be bound by the Court's recommendation. The Court investigated the dispute on the 18th April, 2001.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union is seeking a realistic salary scale for these workers which would reflect the educational, supervisory, administrative, and training expertise of these employees.
2. There has not been collective bargaining on the rate of pay for this group of workers.
3. The claimants have not received pay increases under the various National Pay Agreements.
4. The work and responsibility of the claimants is comparable to similar jobs in the public service/voluntary sector and they should be remunerated accordingly.
MANAGEMENT'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Fás is not the employer of the claimants.
2. The level of funding provided by Fás is decided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
3. Any payment to the claimants over and above the level provided in grant aid by Fás is a matter between them and the sponsors.
4. The level of grant aid has been increased by approximately 18.8% from the 4th December, 2000.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court having considered carefully the written and oral submissions made by the parties,
recommends as follows:-
- 1) An examination of the terms and conditions of the claimants to be undertaken by an Independent Third Party, who would report back to the Labour Court.
2) This exercise to be completed by 1st September, 2001.
3) While it is open to the parties to decide the Independent person, the Court suggests that Ms Janet Hughes, who has undertaken similar exercises in the past, might be the person for this task.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Finbarr Flood
25th May, 2001______________________
LW/LWChairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Larry Wisely, Court Secretary.