Labour Court recommends using agreement to address shop stewards’ harassment dispute

In 1997, the Labour Court recommended that a dispute between Limerick Corporation and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union over alleged management harassment of shop stewards be addressed under the parties’ Procedural Agreement. The recommendation was signed on 10 June 1997. The union said shop stewards were not getting the time and support needed for their representative duties, and that earlier efforts had not resolved the issue. The Corporation said the agreement provided procedures for claims and grievances and that it would facilitate stewards’ duties during working hours. The Court considered the issues best addressed under section 5 of the agreement, which deals with employee representatives.