FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : RYE VALLEY FOODS IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Pierce Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. (I) Payment For New Technology, (II) Payment for Breaks
BACKGROUND:
2. A Labour Court hearing took place in Dundalk on 26th April, 2002. There are two areas in dispute before the Court (i) payment for new technology and (ii) payment for breaks . As the Court believes that point (i) payment for new technology, is an urgent issue, and the Court is awaiting information on point (ii) payment for breaks, the Court has decided to issue an Interim Recommendation in relation to point (i). The following is the Court's recommendation on the claim for Payment for New Technology.
A full recommendation will issue on both claims in due course.
RECOMMENDATION:
Two issues were referred to the Court by the Union: -
1. Claim for regrading as a result of the introduction of an integrated
business system including the use of hand held scanners in the stores
area and the BCH (cookers operation)
2. Claim for payment for meal breaks for shift workers
The Court notes that to date evaluations have been carried out by both sides on the impact of the new technology for the stores area and the BCH area personnel. As the reports did not reach a consensus result, the company proposed that an independent evaluation should be carried out. The Company stated that it is willing to be bound by the outcome of any agreed independent report. The Court recommends that this proposal should be accepted by the Union. The appointment of an independent body, such as the IPC, should be agreed by both sides and an evaluation exercise should be conducted without delay. The Court notes that if a regrading of the positions is recommended by the independent body, then increases should be paid retrospective to 1st June, 2001.
A recommendation on claim 2 will follow in due course.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
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NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Caroline Hayes, Court Secretary.