In 1990, the Labour Court recommended that Irish Press Newspapers Limited’s rationalisation package be accepted, subject to conditions and amendments. The recommendation was signed on 27 June 1990. The company had warned that its publications would close from 23 July without agreement.
The Court cited falling circulation and advertising revenue and said continued publication in its existing form was not commercially viable. It recommended accepting redundancies and five-shift working, with further discussions on rosters. It also recommended protections for some redundancy terms, compensation for certain losses of earnings, additional annual leave for some employees, and later reviews of pay and conditions.
The Court recommended that management’s pay offer be accepted and that the Dublin Printing Group Of Unions coordinate a ballot on the terms. The package included management’s offer of a 3% increase on acceptance, another 3% on the move to new premises, and the next wage-round terms.