FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : GRANTS ENGINEERING (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Foley Employer Member: Ms Connolly Worker Member: Ms Tanham |
1. Pay
BACKGROUND:
2. This dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a Conciliation Conference under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 17th January, 2018 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.
A Labour Court hearing took place on the 13thApril, 2018.
UNION’S ARGUMENTS:
1. The Union is seeking a 4.5% pay increase – 2% in year 1 and 2.5% in year 2.
2. The Company has consistently declined to share information on its operating profits but have confirmed that the company has been and continues to be profitable.
EMPLOYER'S ARGUMENTS:
1. The Company is happy to commit to a two year pay deal to provide security for staff and to assist with financial planning for the business,
2. The Company made an offer of 1% for year 1 ( i.e. 1/7/17- 30/6/2018 and a further 1% for Year 2 (i.e 1/7/18 – 30/6/2019).
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given very careful consideration to the written and oral submissions of the parties.
The matter before the Court is the dispute between the parties as regards the terms of a two year pay agreement to apply from 1stJuly 2017.
The Court has been supplied with detail of pay movement since 2010 and has been advised by the company of the impact of euro / sterling exchange rate movement and the potential effect of Brexit on the business. The Court has not been provided with detail as regards the financial performance of the business or indeed the projected financial impact of the risk factors alluded to at the hearing.
Taking all matters into account the Court recommends as follows:
•That the parties should conclude a two year pay agreement from 1stJuly 2017 to 30thJune 2019. That agreement should provide for an increase of 2% in year one and a further 2% in year 2. This agreement to be in full and final settlement of the matters in dispute.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Kevin Foley
MK______________________
16 April 2018Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Mary Kehoe, Court Secretary.