Labour Court rejects union’s equal pay appeal over Glanmire Industries pay difference

The Labour Court rejected the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s appeal on 16 July 1991, leaving in place the Equality Officer’s recommendation that Ms Cherry was not entitled to equal pay with Mr Cogan. Glanmire Industries Limited accepted that they did like work but argued that Mr Cogan’s greater experience justified the difference. The Court found that experience and practical knowledge were relevant to the laboratory’s research and development work and provided a valid ground other than sex for the pay difference. The decision recorded weekly pay of £185 for Ms Cherry and £230 for Mr Cogan.