In 1987, the Labour Court recommended raising a Wicklow Harbour worker's salary to £11,500 a year, and did not recommend an unsocial-hours allowance. The recommendation was signed on 16 December 1987 following a claim by Local Government And Public Services Union against Wicklow Harbour Commissioners.
The worker was the Secretary/Harbour Master of Wicklow Harbour, earning £9,789 a year plus car and housing allowances. The union argued the role's responsibility and around-the-clock availability for shipping warranted higher pay and an allowance. The Commissioners said the duties and pay had been set at appointment and had not fundamentally changed.