Labour Court recommends Boxmore terms in work-practice dispute

In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that the company's terms be accepted pending a review of the 1980 agreement and resolution of a dispute at Boxmore Plastics Limited. The recommendation was signed on 29 September 1989. The dispute with the Irish Transport And General Workers' Union covered a Quality Management System, an Automatic Handling System and other work-practice changes. The union sought £2,000 and a 5% pay increase, arguing the changes raised productivity and responsibility and reduced overtime earnings. The company said they were covered by its 1980 productivity agreement and offered £250 over two phases if other changes were made. The Court said no payment was warranted for the quality system because it formalised responsibilities that already existed. It said the disagreement over measuring plant output left no reliable basis to recommend on the automatic system and other changes.