Labour Court recommends Abbott Ireland wage agreement for union to accept

In 1990, the Labour Court recommended that the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union accept Abbott Ireland Limited’s proposed three-year wage agreement for about 70 workers at its Cootehill plant. The recommendation was signed on 23 November 1990. The Court said the agreement was fair and reasonable, citing inflation, the need for wage stability and improvements to employment conditions. It also recommended keeping the existing change clause, reviewing the Works Agreement during wage negotiations and introducing reduced working hours from 1 September 1991. Abbott Ireland Limited undertook to re-employ workers deemed fit after time on the Disability Plan, returning them to their old jobs where possible.