The Labour Court recommended that as many as possible of the unsanctioned nursing posts be filled by competition and that management's offer of an allowance for unsuccessful applicants be accepted. It did not recommend compensation for nurses whose promotion prospects had been reduced. The recommendation, concerning claims on behalf of about 5,000 psychiatric nurses, was signed on 12 November 1987.
The Health Boards faced claims from the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU), the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Federated Workers' Union of Ireland. The unions sought compensation for nurses who might lose earnings and pension benefits under competitive promotion, and wanted nurses acting in unsanctioned posts appointed automatically. Management said appointments had to follow competition and that financial cutbacks had led it to withdraw earlier offers.
The Court cited the Health Service's serious financial position in declining compensation. For the separate claim, it recommended competition for as many posts as possible and acceptance of management's offer of an allowance for unsuccessful applicants. The allowance was to equal 90% of the difference between the maximum salary for the nurse's substantive post and the maximum for the next promotion post.