Labour Court rejects gardeners’ grading claim against Office Of Public Works

In 1992, the Labour Court recommended that Botanic Gardens gardeners accept the general craft-grade structure used by the Office Of Public Works, rejecting the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s claim for higher grades. The union argued the gardeners and assistant foremen had added duties, including instructing students and supervising operatives. The Office Of Public Works said gardeners’ duties were broadly similar across its workforce and the proposed higher grades would create supervisory posts without gardeners to supervise. The Court said grading structures at the Office Of Public Works and Dublin Corporation differed, so earlier parity recommendations no longer applied. It signed the recommendation on 13 November 1992.