Labour Court calls for talks on £17.53 pay-parity claim

In 1993, the Labour Court recommended that the Eastern Health Board / Voluntary Hospitals and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union complete meaningful negotiations within eight weeks over the union’s pay-parity claim for about 6,000 members in Dublin. The union sought a £17.53 weekly increase, arguing that health-service staff worked rostered hours and weekends without the additional shift payments received by Dublin Corporation general operatives. Management said it would consider the claim if changes such as roster adjustments offset the cost, and disputed Dublin Corporation as a valid comparison. The Court said the employees had made a case that required meaningful attention, but negotiations had not progressed enough for it to make a definitive recommendation. The recommendation was signed on 23 December 1993. If talks did not resolve the dispute, the parties could return to the Court for a review.