Labour Court seeks independent review of water pollution officers’ grading

The Labour Court recommended an independent assessment of the grade due to ten water pollution officers, after finding merit in the union’s claim that they should be upgraded to experimental officers. The recommendation was signed on 1 September 1989. The Central Fisheries Board said the officers’ qualifications and work were comparable to technician grade and that an upgrade would conflict with a government recruitment decision. Manufacturing Science And Finance argued their experience, responsibilities and work justified the higher grade. The Court also criticised the Board for failing to introduce a staff scheme required under the Fisheries Act 1980. It recommended that the parties seek an independent assessor to determine the appropriate grade by 30 November 1989, using an updated job description prepared by the Irish Productivity Centre.