In 1993, the Labour Court recommended a 3% pay increase for about 280 Easons And Son Limited workers in retail and accounts, subject to acceptance of its recommendations on working arrangements. The recommendation, dated 26 March 1993, followed a dispute with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and The Irish Print Union over the increase under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The unions sought the increase and opposed ending a payment for using visual display units, saying its removal would reduce workers’ earnings. Easons And Son Limited sought to discontinue that payment, secure acceptance of ongoing technology and business changes, and agree continuing Christmas trading hours in return for the increase.
The Court recommended discontinuing the payment, with the unions to negotiate acceptable terms while considering other affected staff. It also recommended accepting the company’s specified technology and business changes and keeping the 1992 Christmas trading hours arrangements in place, with local discussions if later closing times were needed. The 3% increase was to take effect from 2 October 1992, subject to acceptance of the recommendations.