FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : PREMIER LOTTERIES IRELAND DAC TRADING AS NATIONAL LOTTERY (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - FORSA DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Murphy Worker Member: Mr Hall |
1. Pay Claim
BACKGROUND:
2. This dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a Conciliation Conferences under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on 2 January 2019 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on 6 March 2019.
UNION’S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union is seeking a 2.5% pay increase from 1 January 2018 and a further 2.5% pay increase from 1 January 2019 to expire on 31 December 2019.
2. The Union is requesting that no conditions should be sought in return for these pay increases.
3. The Union believes the financial situation in the Company means that the Company can afford these pay increases.
EMPLOYER'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Employer made a number of proposals to the Union which included pay increases over a three-year period.2. The Employer is requesting certain conditions being met in return for these pay increases.
3. The Employer submits that its proposal is fair and reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION:
The issue before the Court is a pay claim by the Union on behalf of middle Managers and Clerical staff. The Union sought an increase of 2½% from 1stJanuary 2018 and 2½% from 1stJanuary 2019 to expire on 31stDecember 2019.
The Company made a number of proposals to the Union which included pay increases over a three-year period subject to certain conditions being met. The final proposal was made on 3rdAugust 2018.
However, while these proposals were rejected, the Union accepted that the Underpinning Principles outlined in the Company’s proposals form part of the normal negotiation processes between the Company and the Union.
Having considered the submissions made by both parties the Court recommends the following pay increases on acceptance of the Underpinning Principles as contained in the Company’s proposals set out on 6th June 2018: -
- 2½% increase from 1stJanuary 2018
2½% increase from 1stApril 2019
2½% increase from 1stApril 2020 to expire on 31stMarch 2021
The Court so Recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
MK______________________
11 March 2019Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Mary Kehoe, Court Secretary.