FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 20(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1969 PARTIES : AN POST - AND - COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Pierce Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. 6% Pay increase for certain grades.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of staff employed by An Post in the grades of Overseer, Superintendent II, Superintendent I, Chief Inspector of Postmen and Inspector of Postmen for a 6% pay increase.
The Union states that the established differential between the pay of the Post Office Clerk grade and the Claimants' grade was eroded when the Post Office Clerk grade was awarded a 6% pay increase.
The Company states that the established differential was set at 20% in 1983 and this differential still exists.
The dispute was referred to the Labour Court in accordance with Section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1969. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 25th of January, 2001. The Union agreed to be bound by the Court's recommendation.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The claim was originally discussed at An Post Joint Conciliation Council in 1990 and subsequently referred to Arbitration. The hearing was adjourned and never reconvened despite several requests by the Union.
2. The established differential between the pay of Post Office Clerk grade and the Claimants' grade was eroded when the Post Office Clerk grade received a 6% pay increase. This differential should now be restored.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Company understood that the matter was resolved at Arbitration in 1991. There was no communication from the Union regarding the claim until April, 1999.
2. In 1983, a differential of 20% was set between the pay of the Post Office Clerk
grade and the Claimants' grade. This differential has been maintained.
3. The claim, if conceded, would be of a high financial cost to the Company and would have serious implications for the pay of other grades.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given serious consideration to all aspects of this claim. Having considered all the facts, the Court is of the view that there is no evidence to support the claim. The Court is satisfied that the differentials established by Arbitration Number 485 in 1983 still apply to the present day.
The Court, therefore, rejects the claim by the Union.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
9th February 2001______________________
G.B./S.H.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Gerardine Buckley, Court Secretary.