In 1992, the Labour Court recommended that Southern Health Board restore non-nursing staff's existing sick-pay benefits for 9 April to 13 July. The dispute involved 2,500 workers represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union; strike notice was averted during negotiations.
The union objected to the Board changing the scheme without agreement and sought repayment of lost benefits. The Board said the change corrected an anomaly and would produce savings. The Court recommended restoration in anticipation of successful talks on scheme changes. Its recommendation was signed on 24 September 1992.