Labour Court recommends three-year pay and compensation package for Cow and Gate workers

In 1991, the Labour Court recommended a three-year package of pay and earnings measures for Cow And Gate Wexford Limited and four unions representing about 115 workers: Manufacturing Science Finance, Electrical Trades Union, National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union, and Amalgamated Engineering Union. The recommendation was signed on 2 August 1991. The Court rejected the unions' claim for parity with Wyeths, finding no evidence that the companies or their workforces were comparable. It recommended lump-sum compensation equal to two years of specific losses caused by changes to work arrangements, and a formula to maintain certain other earnings for three years. The recommendations also included consolidating the shift handover and wash-down allowance on management's proposed terms, a £30 weekly bonus and annual increases of 3% to basic rates for three years.