FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : CENTRAL BANK OF IRELAND - AND - AMALGAMATED TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Carberry Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Handling of punt coinage.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of its members employed by the Central Bank of Ireland as House Porters. The claim is for a 10% increase in pay for handling Punt coinage. The Bank rejects the claim stating that a sum of €2,032 was paid to each porter for flexibility and co-operation with the Euro currency and the withdrawal of old currency.
Local discussions could not resolve the issue. The dispute was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. As agreement could not be reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 25th of September, 2002. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 28th of November, 2002.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The workers concerned co-operated fully with the Euro changeover. At the time they did not envisage the huge volume of punt coinage being returned to the Bank.
2. The Euro lump sum was paid to all categories of staff in the Bank and was strictly for the Euro changeover.
3. The coinage handling is physically demanding and extra work taken on by the Porters and will continue far into the future. Therefore, the claim for a 10% increase in pay is justified.
BANK'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Staff including Porters received a Euro lump sum payment which compensated them for any additional work arising from the introduction of the new currency and the withdrawal of the old coins.
2. The additional coin handling duties involve two Porters for approximately a half an hour per day.
3. The Bank has acquired a coin processing machine which will sort and count the old coins. This will be an advantage to the workers concerned.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having considered the submissions of the parties the Court recommends that the trial period mentioned by the parties into the new coin processing machine should be conducted without delay and extend for a period of two weeks. The Court notes that this trial period has the support of the Union.
At the end of the period discussions should take place between the parties on the outcome of the review to ascertain whether there is justification for a claim. If agreement is not reached, either party may refer the issue back to the Court for final adjudication.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
5th December, 2002______________________
GB/MB.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.