Labour Court rejects full pay parity claim for S.O.S. Kilkenny workers

In 1993, the Labour Court rejected a claim for full pay parity between S.O.S. Kilkenny Limited workers and South Eastern Health Board employees, while urging the parties to agree related pay rates. The recommendation was dated 29 April 1993. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union said workers, including houseparents, instructor/supervisors, training therapists and a hostel coordinator, should receive comparable pay. S.O.S. Kilkenny said its rates reflected skills, responsibilities and its ability to pay, and cited its reliance on voluntary funding. The Court found no grounds to grant parity but said reasonable rates related to comparable Health Board rates should be agreed, recognising the organisation’s financial constraints and dependence on funding.