FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 2004 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : CONNACHT COURT GROUP (REPRESENTED BY IRISH BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS' CONFEDERATION) - AND - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION DIVISION : Chairman: Mr McGee Employer Member: Mr Murphy Worker Member: Mr Nash |
1. Drivers lunch allowance.
BACKGROUND:
2. The case before the Court concerns a claim by the Union on behalf of 5 drivers in the Limerick facility of the Connacht Court Group for an increase in the current lunch allowance. This currently has a daily value of €8.89.
The Company has consistently rejected this claim on the basis that it is cost-increasing in nature and therefore precluded under the terms of "Towards 2016".
The dispute was the subject of a conciliation conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in October 2006. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 13th October, 2006, in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 21st February, 2007.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1.The meal allowance applicable to our members has lost substantial purchasing power over the last 10 years.
2. The Union seek an increase in the allowance to 15 euro per day and that it be index- linked to the national wage agreements going forward.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1.The claim by the Union is cost-increasing and would have repercussive effects across the group.
2. The Company believe that the current lunch allowance is fair and comparable to similar companies in the area.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court recommends that the drivers' lunch allowance should:-
(i) be increased to €12.00 per day with effect from 4th October 2006,
(ii) be index- linked for the future by increases in National Wage Agreements or any local agreement which might replace such agreements.
This index-linking should begin with the first phase of "Towards 2016"
and that this would be accepted by the Union in full and final settlement of its claim.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Raymond McGee
28th February, 2007______________________
MG.Deputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to Madelon Geoghegan, Court Secretary.