FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2001 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE AND INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY - AND - IRISH MUNICIPAL, PUBLIC AND CIVIL TRADE UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Grier Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Salary scale - Librarians.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of Librarians in thirteen Institutes of Technology for an improved pay scale. Librarians are currently paid on a scale equivalent to the current Lecturer Grade1 scale. The Union is seeking a link to the Senior Lecturer Grade 3 scale. A study of the administration and library grades was carried out by a group of consultants. Their report recommended that the Librarians in the Institutes of Technology should be on a rate of pay equivalent to the rate of Assistant Principal Officer in the Civil Service.
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. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 27th of March, 2003, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 19th of June, 2003, the earliest date suitable to the parties.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The universal position of Librarians in the third level sector is that the person responsible for the library is recognised as a senior academic management grade. In the Universities, the grade held by the University Librarian is a professional grade or an equivalent grade.
2. Qualification requirements for University and Institutes of Technology Librarians are the same.
3. The role of the Institute Librarian has expanded in the last number of years.
4. The Librarians concerned should be placed on the Senior Lecturer Grade 3 pay scale.
DEPARTMENT'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The post of Librarian is not an academic post. It has its own terms and conditions of employment.
2. The Union's claim cannot be conceded as it could have serious repercussions.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has carefully considered the submissions of both sides to this claim. The Court is of the view that the claim for a linkage between Librarians and Senior Lecturer 3 Grade is not sustainable. The Court notes the recommendation of Chapman Flood Mazars in their report, which reviewed the Library structures in the Institutes of Technology, where they recommend that a specific remuneration grade be established for the Central Services Managers (CSMs) and Librarians in the Institutes of Technology and recommended a rate equivalent to the APO higher grade in the Civil Service.
The Court recommends that the settlement reached for the CSMs following the Chapman Flood Mazars Report should be immediately implemented for Librarians in the Institutes of Technology. The Court notes the Department's commitment to review the length of this scale for Librarians in the future. The Court recommends that the issue of retrospective payments must be discussed between the parties. The Court makes this recommendation in full and final settlement of the claim, including the claim for outstanding PCW payments.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
9th July, 2003______________________
JO'C/MB.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Jo O'Connor, Court Secretary.