FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : IRISH LIFE ASSURANCE PLC - AND - MANUFACTURING, SCIENCE, FINANCE DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr McHenry Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Increase in maximum of salary range.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Company employs six hundred clerical staff. It operates a performance related pay system which replaced a twenty nine point incremental pay structure.
The Union's claim is for an increase in the maximum of the salary scale applicable to clerical and administrative staffs.
The Company rejects the claim.
The dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission held on the 9th of February, 2001. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 14th of August, 2001, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 10th of January, 2002, the earliest date suitable to the parties.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The maximum of the salary scale applicable to clerical and administrative staffs is below the market rate for long service staff when compared with similar companies in the financial services sector.
2. There is no career review for staff who reach the maximum and there are no long service increments.
3. The number of staff who will benefit from this claim is approximately thirty six and, therefore, it would have very little financial impact on the Company.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. A comprehensive review of the market was carried out during 2001, which concluded that the maximum rate applicable to clerical staff compared favourably with competitors in the market place.
2. The performance related pay system offers staff the opportunity to progress through the range and achieve higher levels of earnings more quickly than under the incremental systems operated by other competitors.
3. The Union's claim is in breach of the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, and cannot be conceded.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having given consideration to all aspects of this claim, the Court is satisfied from the evidence produced that the rates of pay applicable at the maximum of the Clerical and Administrative Career Scale are not out of line with the market. The Court is also satisfied that this claim is in breach of the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Therefore, the Court does not recommend concession of the claim.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
22nd January, 2002______________________
G.B./C.C.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.