Labour Court backs fire crew bonus for Merck control room attendants

In 1988, the Labour Court recommended that Merck, Sharp & Dohme (Ireland) Limited treat its eight control room attendants as part of the fire crew and pay them the fire crew bonus, subject to existing conditions. The recommendation was signed on 18 March 1988. The Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union had sought higher grades, arguing that the attendants’ duties warranted an upgrade and that their control room posts kept them from earning the fire crew bonus. The Court found their existing grades correct after visiting the plant, but recommended fire crew status because they had to remain at their posts during emergencies.