FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : WYETH NUTRITION (REPRESENTED BY STRATIS CONSULTING) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Foley Employer Member: Ms Doyle Worker Member: Mr McCarthy |
1. Pay Claim.
BACKGROUND:
2. The case before the Court concerns a dispute between the Employer and the Union on behalf of approximately 600 of its members employed at Wyeth Nutrition in Askeaton, Co Limerick. The dispute relates specifically to the Union's claim for a 2.5% pay increase payable from April 2016. The dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a Conciliation Conference held under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached the matter was referred to the Labour Court on 4th October, 2017 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on 14th March, 2018.
The following is the Recommendation of the Court:
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given very careful consideration to the written and oral submissions of the parties.
The Court recommends that the Trade Union claim in respect of pay should be resolved by payment of 2.5% to the members of the Union. That pay increase should take effect from 1stApril 2016 and the Trade Union should, in return, maintain the agreed commitment to normal ongoing change.
At its hearing it became clear to the Court that the Company has the objective of engaging with the Trade Union side in an effort to reach agreement on a multi-year basis on a range of matters, including those which it has previously been articulated in writing to the Trade Union and including addressing proposals for change to the existing comprehensive agreement. The Court notes that the Trade Union confirmed at the hearing that it is agreeable to engage on any matter to be tabled by the Company and to seek to find agreement in good faith on all matters that might be raised by the Company. The Court believes that the parties should, separately to the terms of this Recommendation, set about engagement on the agenda to be tabled by the company. The parties should utilise normal procedures wherever necessary in this process.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Kevin Foley
16th March 2018______________________
SCChairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Sharon Cahill, Court Secretary.