In 1993, the Labour Court recommended a package of pay and employment-condition changes for Carton Bros Limited and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, representing workers at three locations in Cavan and Monaghan. The company employed about 320 people. The recommendation was dated 18 October 1993.
The dispute arose as Carton Bros sought to reduce costs amid financial difficulties and investment needs. The Court recommended payment of the third phase of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress from 1 October 1993, with arrears from 1 April payable by 31 March 1994. It recommended no payment under Clause 3 of the programme.
The Court also recommended retaining the sick-pay scheme while suspending payment for the first three days of absence for six months, giving the parties time to seek agreement on preventing abuse. Existing afternoon tea breaks were to continue, with strict observance of their time limits. The Court said cost containment was essential to the business and that failure would affect both the company and employment.