Labour Court recommends unions accept Irish Biscuits wage offer

In 1987, the Labour Court recommended that the Electrical Trades Union and the Electrical Electronic Telecommunications and Plumbing Union accept Irish Biscuits Limited’s offer in a dispute over a wage claim for eight electricians and six plumbers. The recommendation was signed on 21 May 1987. The offer was a 4% increase over five months followed by 3% over nine months, plus a bonus on the first three weekly overtime hours. The unions had sought a 10% increase over 12 months. They argued workers had lost ground in earlier rounds and should be compensated for the pay pause in 1977; the company said its settlements were in line with wider trends and that costs needed to remain competitive. The Court recommended against payment for the 1977 pay-pause period.