Labour Court recommends £160 weekly starting rate for Krups Enginering recruits

In 1995, the Labour Court recommended a £160 weekly starting rate for staff recruited from January at Krups Enginering Limited’s Limerick plant, with a £5 weekly increase after 12 months. The recommendation was signed on 30 January 1995. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union said new recruits would do the same work as existing employees, who received £191 a week, and argued that the proposed £153 rate was unfair. Krups Enginering Limited cited trading difficulties and competition within the Moulinex Group. The Court recommended protecting existing permanent employees’ pay and conditions, applying the agreed second phase of the PCW, and reviewing the plant’s position and the pay gap when the new rate increased.