LCR22822

1.Pay Claim For 2023

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 28 April 2023, in accordancewith Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 5 September 2023.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Court has considered carefully the written and oral submissions of the parties.

The parties have engaged extensively but have failed to find agreement on a rate of pay increase to apply as a successor agreement to the agreement which expired on 31^stDecember 2022. The Court notes that an offer earlier made by the employer has been accepted by a majority of employees.

The parties have provided comprehensive written and oral submissions to the Court. Having regard to all of the circumstances set out in those submissions the Court recommends as follows:

• 
  •That the parties should conclude a one year pay agreement to take effect from 1^stJanuary 2023 and to expire on 31^stDecember 2023. That agreement to provide for an increase of 4.25% to have effect from 1^stJanuary 2023.

  •That a tax-free voucher payment consistent with Revenue rules in the amount of €500 should be made to each worker (who has not already received such a payment as part of the 2023 wage round) as soon as practicable after conclusion of the 2023 pay agreement.

  •That the parties should agree that any claim for service days should be considered as part of the engagement between the parties in their attempts to agree a successor agreement to the 2023 pay agreement.

  •That the parties should reflect on the pathway of negotiations in relation to the 2023 agreement and the history of such engagements in the employment with a view to ensuring that any engagements in relation to future agreements are conducted in a constructive manner.

	Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
	Kevin Foley
CO'R	______________________
18 September 2023	Chairman