FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : PRIMARK T/A PENNEYS (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - MANDATE DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Ms Cryan Worker Member: Mr McCarthy |
1. Pay Claim
BACKGROUND:
2. This case concerns a dispute between the Company and Union in relation to a pay claim. The Union is seeking a 3% pay claim for twelve months retrospective to 1st June 2014. Management has not rejected the claim but is willing to give a 1.5% pay rise contingent on a revised payscale being agreed for new entrants. The matter was not 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 matter was referred to the Labour Court on 18th February 2015 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on 7th May 2015.
UNION'S ARGUMENT:
3 1 The Union is seeking a 3% pay rise on the basis of the profitability and improved trading position of the Company. The Union cannot accept an increase in pay that is awarded on the basis that new entrants into the Company will be worse off than existing employees.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENT:
4 1 Management has not rejected the Union's claim and is prepared to award a pay increase. As the Company is operating in a highly competitive market it must be prudent in relation to increasing its costs. Management proposed a pay increase on the basis of agreement being reached on a pay scale for new entrants which was rejected by the Union.
RECOMMENDATION:
The matter before the Court concerns the Union’s claim for a 3% increase in pay from 1stJune 2014 for twelve months.
In response to the claim the Company offered 1 ½% increase from 1stJune 2014 for twelve months in return for the introduction of a new three-point pay scale for all new entrants, to replace the current six-point scale pay scale.
Having considered the submission made by both parties the Court recommends that pay should be increased by 2% with effect from 1stJune 2014 for twelve months.
The Court so Recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
25th MAY 2015______________________
AHDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Andrew Heavey, Court Secretary.