Labour Court rejects unions’ claim over Youghal Carpet fitter vacancy

In 1989, the Labour Court did not recommend conceding the National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union, Electrical Trades Union, Amalgamated Engineering Union and Union of Construction and Allied Trades Technicians' claims against Youghal Carpet (Yarns) Limited over an alleged breach of a 1984 agreement. The recommendation was signed on 4 January 1989. The unions said the company should restore the agreed number of fitters or pay the 4% wage increase they had forgone under the agreement after a fitter retired and was not replaced. Youghal Carpet (Yarns) Limited relied on natural-wastage clauses in the 1984 and 1987 agreements. The Court found the agreement could not be read as the unions proposed, particularly because of the natural-wastage clause.