Labour Court rejects unions’ claims over Marino Point grades and shifts

In 1987, the Labour Court did not recommend conceding two claims made by the Amalgamated Engineering Union, Electrical Trades Union and National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union against Irish Fertilizer Industries (formerly Nitrigin Eireann Teoranta). The recommendation was signed on 2 November 1987. The unions sought a lump sum for Marino Point craftsmen, arguing that an earlier payment to process operators had affected grade relativities. The Court said the earlier payment related to potential upgrading for certain non-craft grades and had not changed relativities. The second claim sought compensation for about ten electricians after shift frequency increased. The Court found the arrangements complied with the company-union agreement and that the workers had incurred no loss, so it did not recommend conceding the claim.