In 1997, the Labour Court recommended an 8% rate of the stab rate for operating the CAD/CAM system at Dakota Packaging. The recommendation was signed on 28 August 1997. The Irish Print Union had sought a 32.5% rate, while Dakota Packaging offered 5% of the basic rate. The union said the work required multi-skilled operators and they should share in the system’s benefits. The company said the system enhanced sales, was not used for production and could be operated by apprentices.