Labour Court recommends 5% rise in Rangeland Meats wage dispute

In 1987, the Labour Court recommended a 5% pay rise for workers at Rangeland Meats Limited after the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (Itgwu) sought a 10% increase over 12 months for about 100 workers. The recommendation was signed on 23 September 1987. The Court recommended that the company amend its offer to provide for a 5% increase from 1 June 1987, under an agreement ending on 1 May 1988, and that the workers accept it. The Court said it could not reach a definitive conclusion on the timing of the wage rounds, but cited the need to sustain rates relative to other firms. The company had rejected the union's claim and offered 3.50% after a three-month pay pause. It also cited growing competition and said cattle supplies would fall by at least 8% from 1988 onwards.