Labour Court rejects union claim for warehouse lunch allowance

In 1989, the Labour Court did not uphold the Irish Transport and General Workers Union and Federated Workers Union of Ireland claim for a lunch allowance for about 16 warehouse workers at Cantrell And Cochrane (Dublin) Limited. The recommendation was signed on 21 March 1989. The unions argued that payments made when staff worked through lunch had become established whenever the Ballyfermot ramp was used. The company denied agreeing to pay whenever the ramp was in use. The Court found written payment terms for lunch time working but no specific evidence that work and payment were agreed whenever the ramp was used. It considered the company's position on setting hours and paying under the agreement more reasonable. The Court also recommended renewed discussions about a composite bonus proposal.