Labour Court recommends £700 supplement for production-essential QA staff at Antigen

In 1988, the Labour Court recommended a £700 annual supplement for production-essential QA staff at Antigen Pharmaceuticals Limited who returned to a 40-hour week. It recommended similar treatment for other staff whose 40-hour attendance the company considered essential. The recommendation was signed on 24 June 1988. The Irish Transport and General Workers' Union, the National Engineering and Electrical Trades Union, and Manufacturing Science and Finance were also parties to the company's claims about shift premiums, hours and compensation for loss of earnings. The Court recommended acceptance of the company's T 1/6 shift-premium offer, but did not recommend adding the premium to basic rates for overtime or bonus calculations. It considered the Industrial Relations Officer's proposals for buying out rate differentials reasonable. Other clerical and laboratory staff were to arrange cover within the existing 35-hour week; the Court cited the company's difficulties and called for cooperation, with the changes reviewed after two years.