In 1990, the Labour Court recommended a higher shift rate for 225 evening part-time workers at Cadbury (Ireland) Limited: 54.57% of the applicable two-shift rate, maintained at that percentage in future. The recommendation was to apply from the week beginning 1 April 1990 and was signed on 4 April 1990.
The Services, Industrial, Professional, Technical Union and Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union sought an increase for workers who worked evening shifts during the week. They argued that the existing allowance was unfair compared with the rate for two-shift production workers. Cadbury said the claim would add costs for 225 workers and could prompt further claims.
The Labour Court considered the parties' oral and written submissions before recommending the revised rate. The claim concerned a group of long-service women workers, and the recommendation set a continuing percentage of the applicable two-shift rate rather than a fixed weekly allowance.