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. Re-Hearing Arising From LCR18172.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute before the Court refers to a disagreement between Glanbia Meats, Roscrea and the Union on the system of payment put forward by the Company for preventative Maintenance bonus. A Labour Court hearing took place in Clonmel on the 5th April, 2005 and a recommendation LCR18172 was issued recommending"that both parties resume negotiations on the overall question of pay and the requirement necessary to ensure continuing certification in the meat processing industry".Local negotiations between the parties took place in Roscrea in May 2005. Agreement was not reached.
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 back to the Labour Court on the 11th October, 2005 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A further Labour Court hearing took place on the 7th December, 2005.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3.1 Output has increased on many of the original machines by 200%. This is due to changes and small inventions by the craftspeople who have 37 years experience in the meat business. The workers have also been active attending courses to update their skills which has helped to dramatically reduce downtime in every Department.
2. The refusal of the Company to address the issue of pay was unreasonable in the extreme especially as our members have delivered the changes that were required to modernise the plant and its maintenance practices.
3. The Union believes that the rate requested €18.10 per hour is applicable to the workers especially as the national average for similar craftspeople is within that general area.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4.1 The Company has offered a bonus scheme which will afford extra earnings of €50 per week per person. The sister plant in Edenderry is implementing a similar bonus.
2. The Maintenance Staff in Roscrea are the highest paid maintenance team in the Glanbia Meats Division.
3. As the largest pig slaughtering plant in Ireland, the Company have to do all that is required of them by the Department of Agriculture bearing in mind that this has to be carried out against the backdrop of periodic losses and low profit margins and intense worldwide competition.
4. The Company cannot sustain an increase nor has the ability to pay above and beyond what has been proposed as this would be cost increasing and potential knock on effects in other Glanbia Meats sites.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having considered the oral and written submissions of the parties, the Court recommends as follows, solely in regard to the craftsmen at the Roscrea Plant:
The hourly rate should be increased as follows (from €14.72)
- to €15.75 per hour with effect from 1st April, 2005
- to €16.75 per hour with effect from 1st October, 2005
- to €17.75 per hour on achievement and full implementation of 100% p. m.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Raymond McGee
22nd December, 2005______________________
JBDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Jackie Byrne, Court Secretary.