Labour Court recommends sixth scale point for four classroom assistants

In 1997, the Labour Court recommended that four Classroom Assistants employed by the Department Of Education be placed on the sixth point of their salary scale, with arrangements to meet qualification requirements and progress further. The Irish Municipal, Public And Civil Trade Union had sought progression for the assistants, who had between 13 and 20 years of service but could not progress beyond the fifth point because they lacked required qualifications. The Department argued that conceding the claim would breach the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and said the assistants lacked the necessary qualifications. It also said their salaries had risen from £6,233 to £8,474 in October 1994.