Labour Court rejects productivity bonus claim for Thermo King testers

The Labour Court did not recommend conceding the Amalgamated Engineering Union's productivity-bonus claim against Thermo King for 18 testers. The recommendation was dated 22 August 1989. The testers began checking two refrigeration units at once during a trial. The union said the new method increased productivity and workload, and that workers expected some of the savings to be shared. Thermo King said the claim was barred by its three-year pay agreement and that output remained within agreed work standards. The Court acknowledged that the workers expected some compensation at the end of the trial, but considered the proposed changes reasonable and did not recommend conceding the union's claim.