FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2004 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : COMMISSIONERS OF IRISH LIGHTS - AND - AMALGAMATED TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr McGee Employer Member: Mr Murphy Worker Member: Ms Ni Mhurchu |
1. Application of Benchmarking to Commissioners of Irish Lights Marine Ratings.
BACKGROUND:
2. The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) are the General Lighthouse Authority for the whole of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. There are 213 full-time permanent employees made up of administrative staff, craftsmen, general operatives and mariners. In addition 80 part-time attendants are employed as caretakers of automated lighthouses around the coast.
- In September 2003 the Union wrote to the Commissioners of Irish Lights seeking the application of Benchmarking to Marine Ratings. Following negotiations an outline agreement was reached in 2005. Two issues were still in dispute relating to a) the Annualised Duty Days Scheme (ADDS) and b) the cost of medical prescriptions.
The dispute was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached on issue (a), the Annualised Duty Days Scheme, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 31st May, 2006, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 24th August, 2006.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1.In return for the application of Benchmarking to our members the Commissioners are asking the Ratings to accept the same agreement made with the Officers on pensions payback of outstanding days owed. This is totally unacceptable to the ratings.
2. The Union's members have contributed to an increase in productivity of over 50% since the 2000 ADDS Agreement was introduced. Absenteeism levels have also reduced to a level of less than 0.3% and are still falling.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1.The Commissioners of Irish Lights are entitled to seek cost saving measures in return for the application of Benchmarking to the Ratings.
2. All other grades within CIL who have received increases under Benchmarking have agreed to real and verifiable cost saving changes.
3. The changes being sought from Ratings are identical to those changes already agreed to by the Officers.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court notes the assurances given by the Management that:-
a) the number of days to be repaid at the time of retirement will not exceed 28 days, even in the case of long-term illness; and
b) the scheme will be operated with sensitivity and discretion (as per the Industrial Relations Officer's letter to the parties of 10th February, 2006).
The Court accordingly recommends that the 8.9% increase be paid as agreed (including the retention of the Prescribed Medicines element of the Medical Scheme) and that the Scheme as proposed be accepted by both sides subject to an overall maximum liability at the time of retirement of 28 days.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Raymond McGee
25th September, 2006______________________
MG.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Madelon Geoghegan, Court Secretary.