Labour Court rejects unions’ bid for backdated Nestle canteen bonus

In 1989, the Labour Court did not recommend retrospective bonus payments for three Nestle Ireland Limited canteen workers. The recommendation was signed on 18 September 1989. The Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union and the Federated Workers’ Union of Ireland sought backdating of the 110% bonus, saying the original claim had taken a long time to resolve. Nestle said the bonus had been introduced from 9 January 1989 without an additional contribution from the canteen staff. The Court declined retrospection having regard to the terms on which the bonus was generally paid.