LCR23316

PARTIES:

DIVISION:

SUBJECT:

Complaint under Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.

BACKGROUND:

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 22 April 2026 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990.

A Labour Court hearing took place on 07 August 2026.

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RECOMMENDATION:

The Dispute

The within dispute concerns a pay claim brought by SIPTU on behalf of workers employed by FedEx Express Ireland Limited (‘the Company’) in respect of the period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026.

The Union’s Position

The Union is seeking a 5% pay increase for the aforementioned period to offset the effects of consumer prices increases and inflation. It submits that an increase at this level would be in line with ‘prevailing wage movements’ in the economy and is consistent with guidance issued by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Private Sector Pay Bargaining in 2026.

The Company’s Position

The Company submits that the maximum increase it can offer for the period in question ‘within its current approved budgetary framework’ is 3.7%. It further submits that this increase exceeds inflation rates over the past year and has already been granted to, and accepted by, its employees other than those on whose behalf the within claim is being advanced.

Recommendation

The Court notes that both Parties to this dispute have come before ‘the Court of Last Resort’ in industrial relations matters having not moved from their opening positions at local level. It is disappointing that no progress in resolving their dispute was achieved either locally or with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission.

Having considered the Parties’ submissions, the Court recommends that the Workers receive a pay increase of 4% for the period 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026. The Court is of the view that its recommendation in this regard is in line with recent pay increases in the sector in which the Company operates.

The Court so recommends.

	Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
	Alan Haugh
AL	______________________
11/08/2026	Deputy Chairman

NOTE

Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be in writing and addressed to Ms Amy Leonard, Court Secretary.

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