Labour Court backs transfer of two cleaners to grade 1 jobs at Hallmark Cards

The Labour Court recommended that the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union accept the transfer of two cleaners to grade 1 jobs at Hallmark Cards (Ireland) Limited, with immediate effect. The Court said the transfers fell within the company/union procedural agreement. The dispute followed the company's decision to subcontract cleaning and redeploy the affected workers. The union argued that the cleaners were not production workers covered by the agreement and that the transfers could block promotion opportunities for other workers. Hallmark Cards (Ireland) Limited argued the agreement allowed the transfers. The recommendation was signed on 20 April 1995.