Labour Court backs Commissioners Of Irish Lights' subsistence proposal

The Labour Court recommended that the Commissioners Of Irish Lights' proposal on subsistence for lighthouse technicians be accepted. The recommendation was signed on 4 December 1986. The proposal would end half-rate subsistence when technicians stayed overnight on service tenders where food and accommodation were provided free, replacing it with a special allowance. The National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union, Electrical Trades Union and Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers had sought to retain the payment, citing differences in accommodation, meals and time off. The Commissioners argued that free food and accommodation made the payment unjustified. The Court considered the proposal fair and reasonable, noting the parties had agreed revised subsistence rates would apply from 1 August 1984.