FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2004 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : GLANBIA MEATS (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - TECHNICAL, ENGINEERING AND ELECTRICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr McGee Employer Member: Mr Doherty Worker Member: Mr Nash |
1. Rates of pay
BACKGROUND:
2. Glanbia Meats, based in Roscrea, produce pig meat commodities which are sold to multiple and wholesale clients. It is part of Glanbia plc, whose headquarters is based in Kilkenny. The Roscrea plant employs 325 people. The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of 8 maintenance staff based in Roscrea for an increase in rates of pay. The Union contend that the current rate of pay, €14.50 per hour, is out of line with the rate applicable for craftworkers in other areas within the Company. The Company proposed the introduction of a bonus scheme whereby the workers earnings would increase by €40 to €50 per week. The Union rejected the proposal.
- 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 6th September, 2004, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 5th April, 2005, the earliest date suitable to the parties.
3. 1. An agreement was reached in 1998 where a number of changes were required by the Company for the Plant. The workers complied with all changes which included audits, changes required for customers, changes required for upgrades and other changes for sales in different markets as advised by consultants. This was agreed on the basis that the pay issue would be addressed. The expectation that the Company would also deliver their side of that agreement has not materialized.
2. Within the Glanbia group there are rates applicable to similar Craftworkers due to similar changes of €10.58 per hour in Glanbia, Ballyragget on Annual Hours and in the Soup Plant in Kilkenny, who are not on Annual Hours of €17.63 per hour. As the workers involved in this claim are not on Annual Hours, the rate of €17.63 per hour should be applicable to them especially as the national average for similar craftsworkers is approx €17.50.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Frequent and more intense audits are taking place, a section of which is concentrated on the Preventative Maintenance System in the plant. While there is a 60% system in place, a 100% system is required. The Company has offered a bonus scheme, which will afford extra earnings of approx €40 to €50 per week per person. A sister plant in Edenderry is implementing the Company proposal.
2. The Union rejected the Company offer outright without endeavouring to enter into any meaningful discussions in relation to the bonus. The Maintenance staff in Roscrea are the highest paid maintenance team in the Glanbia Meats Division.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has considered the submissions of both parties and the additional points made during the hearing, and recommends that both parties resume negotiations on the overall question of pay and the requirements necessary to ensure continuing certification in the meat processing industry. The Court believes this process should be commenced immediately and concluded within an eight week period with any unresolved issues to be referred back to the Court for further recommendation.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Raymond McGee
22nd April 2005______________________
JO'CDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Joanne O'Connor, Court Secretary.