FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : GLANBIA DROGHEDA AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Carberry Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Increase in basic pay.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of six members employed as administrative staff at the Company's milk processing plant in Drogheda, Co Louth for an increase in their basic rate of pay. In July, 2000, the Company put a proposal to the administrative staff to consider the possibility of multi-skilling training. In September, 2000, the Union stated that if there were to be any changes in work practices, the wage scales would have to be examined. Local discussions failed to resolve the issue.
The dispute was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission held on the 12th of July, 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 21st of February, 2002, the earliest date suitable to the parties.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. Multi-skilling training and flexible working will provide major savings for the Company with more efficient ways of operating which will allow for increased productivity.
2. The workers concerned should receive an increase in pay with retrospection as they have been taking part in multi-skilling training since January, 2001.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The pay scales for the staff concerned and administrative staff in other divisions of the Company were agreed with the Union.
2. The offer made to move the lowest paid worker to the next point on the scale and to give an additional increment to staff on completion of the multi-skilling training was reasonable, and should be accepted by the Union.
3. The claim cannot be conceded as it would have a knock-on effect throughout the group.
RECOMMENDATION:
An offer was made by the Company at conciliation to resolve this dispute. The Court is of the view that this offer should form the basis of a settlement. Therefore, the Court recommends that in recognition of the staff's commitment to multi-skilling, flexibility and interchangeability, rates of pay should be increased by one increment with effect from 1st June, 2001. The Court further recommends that training should be completed by 1st June, 2002, at which point a second increment should apply. If not completed by that date, then the second increment should be paid with effect from the completion date.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
11th March, 2002______________________
G.B./C.C.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.