Labour Court recommends 3.5% pay rise for Tara Mines craft workers

The Labour Court recommended a 3.5% increase in basic rates from 1 June 1987 for 160 craft workers at Tara Mines Limited, as part of a 14-month agreement. The recommendation was signed on 30 October 1987. The Craft Union Group, comprising the A.E.U., E.T.U., N.E.E.T.U. and U.C.A.T.T., had sought a 10% increase and changes to working hours, apprenticeships, leave and overtime. The Court did not recommend conceding the unions’ other claims. It recommended acceptance of the company’s cost-reduction proposals, with the company withdrawing its proposed earnings cap for the new bonus scheme and the unions agreeing to a constant rate of bonus increase across possible outputs. The Court cited the need to maintain continuity of employment.