Labour Court recommends Westbury Hotel make service-charge payments

In 1988, the Labour Court recommended that Westbury Hotel make ex-gratia payments to staff for perceived losses in service-charge payments, but did not recommend an increase in basic pay. The recommendation was signed on 19 December 1988. The Irish Transport And General Workers' Union sought improved basic rates for 99 permanent and 62 casual staff, comparing them with other Dublin hotels. It said service-charge payments had fallen and basic rates lagged behind comparable hotels. Westbury Hotel said it had honoured its agreement and that basic pay combined with service-charge earnings compared favourably. The Court found an increase in basic rates was not warranted at the time. It noted staff dissatisfaction with particular payments and recommended ex-gratia payments to make good the perceived losses.