Labour Court rejects SIPTU equal-pay appeal at Spring Grove Services

In 1997, the Labour Court rejected an appeal by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU) on behalf of 24 female employees at Spring Grove Services Limited. The determination was signed on 16 June. The employees, Grade 1 general operatives in the finishing area, sought the same rate as eight Grade 4 wash-house operatives. At the time the claim was lodged, they earned £171.71 a week, compared with £195.75 for the comparators. The union argued that the jobs were equal in value. The company said wash-house work required greater volume and speed, and that the higher rate reflected the demands of the work. After hearing both sides and inspecting the work, the Court found the jobs were not like work in skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions. It decided the claimants were not entitled to the same rate, and the appeal failed.