LCR22997

PARTIES:

DIVISION:

SUBJECT:

Complaint under Section 20(1) of the Industrial Act 1969

BACKGROUND:

This dispute concerns pay increases. The Union referred this case to the Labour Court on 17 August 2023 in accordance with Section 20 (1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969, and agreed to be bound by the Court’s Recommendation. A Labour Court hearing took place on 12 June 2024.

UNION’S ARGUMENT’S

1. The Union’s members do not have confidence in the Employer’s Employee Forum in place and therefore did not participate in discussions regarding pay increases through this forum.
2. The Union is seeking additional pay increases, over and above those agreed through the Employee Forum. This is being sought in light of the current cost of living crises and to maintain a differential between the national minimum wage.

RECOMMENDATION:

Referral to the Court

The within dispute was referred to the Court under section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1969 by SIPTU on behalf of its members employed by Go Safe Road Safety Operations Limited (‘the Employer’). The Court held a hearing to investigate the dispute on 12 June 2024 in Cork. There was no appearance by or on behalf of the Employer at the hearing.

The Dispute

The Employer has an Employee Forum in place. The Forum reached an agreement for a 6.5% pay increase to be paid in two phases: 3.5% with effect from 1 January 2023 and 3% from 1 January 2024. The Court was informed that the SIPTU members employed by the Employer “do not have confidence in the Forum” and did not participate in its discussions when the aforementioned pay increases were agreed.

The Union is seeking additional pay increases for its Members, over and above those achieved by the Employee Forum. The additional increases being sought are 1.5% for 2023 and 2% for 2024. The Union submits that the additional pay increases are being sought in order “to take account of the current cost of living crisis, and to take into consideration increases in the National Minimum Wage (NMW), with the aim of maintaining the current differential between the NMW.” (sic)

Recommendation

The Court finds that the within pay claim is without merit and does not recommend its concession.

The Court so recommends.

	Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
	Alan Haugh
CN	______________________
9th July 2024	Deputy Chairman

NOTE

Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Cathal Nerney, Court Secretary.