FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN - AND - UNITE & SIPTU DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Hayes Employer Member: Ms Doyle Worker Member: Mr Hall |
1. Non replacement of Permanent Posts
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 11 June 2018 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.
A Labour Court hearing took place on 17 July 2018.
UNION’S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. As the College Student numbers have increased in line with Government Policy, the Union is seeking that the number of Support Staff also increases in line with the strategic plan of the College.
2. The Union says that support grades are on a knife edge with reports of increased stress, sick leave and unrealistic expectations in relation to the workload is commonplace.
EMPLOYER'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Employer says that the number of staff employed in the University has not only remained consistently high but has been increasing. There has been an 8% increase in Support Staff since May 2015.
2. The Employer says that it was indicated in discussions that staff in some areas are overburdened as a consequence of the non-replacement of staff however to-date the Employer has not received the details of any such staff or area of concern despite Management inviting the Unions to bring forward details of same and committing to identifying solutions for any such instance.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given careful consideration to the extensive submissions of all parties in this dispute.
The Court finds that both sides would benefit from reengaging at the Conciliation Services of the Workplace Relations Commission with a view to identifying precisely and resolving the issues currently in dispute between them. Should the parties fail to reach agreement through that process both sides should agree to a joint referral of all outstanding issues back to the Court for a definitive recommendation.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Brendan Hayes
19 July 2018______________________
CCDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Ceola Cronin, Court Secretary.