Labour Court recommends changes to Roscrea Fresh Foods agreement and working conditions

In 1989, the Labour Court recommended changes to a draft plant agreement in the dispute between Roscrea Fresh Foods Limited and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The recommendation was issued by letter on 11 December 1989. The union alleged that changes breached the draft agreement, which had operated in practice despite never being signed. The company said commercial pressures required changes. Among its recommendations, the Court said Grade IV should be a short-term recruitment grade, clerical staff should progress on the existing pay scale, Saturday workers should receive time plus one-sixth and an additional £5, and a day of leave should be taken after St Stephen’s Day. It also noted that the company was arranging the Christmas bonus payment and was not pursuing a 37.5-hour week at that time.