FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND GALWAY (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr McGee Employer Member: Mr Doherty Worker Member: Mr Nash |
1. Progression to min point of next scale - 11 Assistant Librarians
BACKGROUND:
2. Prior to the first public sector Benchmarking exercise Assistant Librarians were paid on a point-for-point basis with Grade 5 staff in the college. Grade 5 staff have a pay scale which, in common with many others in the college has a maximum point which is the same as the minimum point of the next higher grade. There is a difference of over
€10,000 between the maximum point of the Assistant Librarian pay scale and the minimum point of the Sub Librarian pay scale, which has the same pay scale as that of the promotional grade for Grade 5 staff. The Union is claiming that Assistant Librarians should be granted incremental progression to the minimum of the Sub Librarian pay scale.
This 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 18 th February 2008, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 22nd October 2008, the earliest date suitable to the parties.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. As entry to the profession requires a degree and a relevant post graduate diploma, Library Assistant's qualifications, skills and expertise compare favourably with Grade 5 staff.
2. Assistant Librarians are the only group that does not have an overlap with the pay scale of the next higher grade.
3.On reaching the maximum of their pay scale Grade 5 staff automatically proceed to the minimum point of the next higher grade's pay scale.
EMPLOYER'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1.The first public sector Benchmarking exercise severed all previous pay links.
2.This is a cost-increasing claim, which is precluded under the terms of 'Towards 2016'.
3.Given the serious financial position of the University, concession of this claim would give rise to the possibility of redundancies in the Library.
RECOMMENDATION:
Having considered the submissions made by the parties, and taking into account the effects of the Benchmarking exercise, the Court does not recommend concession of the claim.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Raymond McGee
14th November, 2008______________________
JMcCDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Jonathan McCabe, Court Secretary.