Labour Court recommends Cadbury Ireland’s two-shift plan for despatch area

In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union and the Federated Workers’ Union of Ireland accept Cadbury Ireland PLC’s proposal to move despatch-area work to a two-shift system. The recommendation was signed on 10 July 1989. The unions challenged the change, saying it could disadvantage long-serving staff who had taken jobs without shift patterns. Cadbury Ireland PLC argued two shifts would improve coordination, management cover, holiday staffing, security and use of space. The Court found the company’s reasons sound and reasonable and recommended that the unions accept its proposals.