FULL RECOMMENDATION
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : EPS GROUP (REPRESENTED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FEDERATION) - AND - 30 VARIOUS EMPLOYEES (REPRESENTED BY CONNECT TRADE UNION) DIVISION : Chairman: Mr Geraghty Employer Member: Mr Marie Worker Member: Mr Hall |
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 5 November 2019 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on 15 January 2020.
UNION’S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union stated that their members took a 10% pay cut in 2009 in order for the Company to stay competitive during the recession.
2. The Union stated that their members had not been rewarded in the upturn to the same level as was felt in the downturn.
3. From 2014 to April 2019 the Union argued that their members had only seen a 7% increase in pay with a further 2.5% proposed, but not guaranteed, over the next 2 years.
EMPLOYER'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Company's biggest client, Irish Water, is undergoing significant changes, which is having a direct and detrimental effect on the Company.
2. Employment costs have continued to rise, despite the rate being paid to complete projects remaining unchanged.
3. Theses cost increases are not recoverable and this is unlikely to change in the short to medium term.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court recommends the following pay increases;
1.5% from 1 April 2019
1.5% from 1 April 2020
2.5% from 1 April 2021
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Tom Geraghty
CO'R______________________
29 January 2020Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Clodagh O'Reilly, Court Secretary.