Labour Court rejects unions’ 12.5% pay claim for porters

In 1990, the Labour Court rejected the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and Irish Municipal Employees Trade Union claim for a 12.5% pay increase for about 60 porters and assistant, senior and head porters at City Of Dublin Vocational Education Committee schools and colleges. The recommendation was signed on 20 July 1990. The unions argued that added security, alarm, purchasing and delivery responsibilities, along with unsocial hours, justified higher pay. Management said security and goods handling were part of the porter role, alarm call-outs already attracted overtime and mileage payments, and working patterns differed from the comparisons used. The Court found no grounds to concede the claim and rejected it.