Labour Court Database
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File Number: CD87653
Case Number: LCR11504
Section / Act: S67
Parties: DICTAPHONE - and - ITGWU
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Subject:
Claim, on behalf of three clerical staff for an increase in pay under the 27th wage round.
Recommendation:
5. The Court considers that general custom, practice and equity
require that the full 6% with effect from 1st May be applied to
the recently negotiated clerical salary scales and recommends
accordingly.
Division: CHAIRMAN Mr Collins Ms Ni Mhurchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87653 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11504
CC871112 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11504
Parties: DICTAPHONE LIMITED
(Represented by the Federated Union of Employers)
and
IRISH TRANSPORT AND GENERAL WORKERS' UNION
(No. 2 Branch)
Subject:
1. Claim, on behalf of three clerical staff for an increase in
pay under the 27th wage round.
Background:
2. Following agreement between the Company and the Union an
incremental scale was introduced for clerical workers in August,
1986. The incremental date was agreed as 1st April. The 26th
wage round expired on 30th April, 1987. By letter dated 20th May,
1987 the Union served a claim under the 27th round for a 6%
increase for twelve months. This deal had already been agreed for
technical staff. Management's response was to offer a total
increase of 6%, inclusive of incremental and 27th round increases.
This was not acceptable to the Union and the matter was referred
to the conciliation service of the Labour Court. A conciliation
conference was held on 27th August, 1987 at which management
amended its offer to a flat 2% increase over and above incremental
increases. The Union did not accept this offer and the matter was
referred to a full hearing of the Labour Court. The hearing took
place on 9th October, 1987.
Union's argument:
3. (i) The Union considers that clerical workers in the
Company are entitled to an increase in pay in line with
that already conceded to the majority of the workforce.
Since they have the same cost of living requirements,
anything other than this is considered to be
discriminatory.
(ii) The Union considers that the workers are entitled to
incremental increases exclusive of wage round
increases.
Company's arguments:
4. (a) Taking into account pay improvements over the past two
years, clerical staff have had significant increases in
pay. These increases compare favourably with increases
granted to other employees (details supplied to the
Court). The Company does not consider that the basic
pay increase agreed for service technicians should
apply to clerical workers.
(b) When incremental increases are taken into account, as
well as the estimated inflation rate of 3% the Company
considers its proposal to be fair and reasonable.
Given the current performance of the Company in
Ireland, the Union's claim is unjustifiable.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court considers that general custom, practice and equity
require that the full 6% with effect from 1st May be applied to
the recently negotiated clerical salary scales and recommends
accordingly.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John M Horgan
4th November, 1987 --------------
A.K./U.S. Chairman