Labour Court recommends £250 for each gas fitter

In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that New Dublin Gas pay £250 to each of about 100 gas fitters and chargehand fitters after they introduced revised gas escape procedures. The recommendation was signed on 28 February 1989. The Federated Workers' Union Of Ireland had sought a 5% pay increase, arguing that the workers took on responsibility for classifying gas escapes and deciding what action to take when life and property could be at risk. New Dublin Gas said the procedures clarified existing responsibilities and that it could not meet cost-increasing claims. The Court found no appreciable increase in overall responsibility, but recommended the payments in recognition of the workers' co-operation in introducing the new procedures.