Labour Court declines pay for 72-hour Tarkett lay-off

In 1988, the Labour Court did not recommend wages for a 72-hour lay-off at Tarkett Limited after an ESB dispute forced the Mullingar factory to close. The recommendation, signed on 20 January 1988, followed a claim by the Association Of Scientific, Technical And Managerial Staffs. The Court found Tarkett should have consulted the union, but said the strike and safety requirements forced the shutdown. Tarkett said a sudden power loss posed safety risks and required a full shutdown; the union said it had not been consulted before the lay-off.