Labour Court recommends £1,500 payment to Tesco staff fund after Athlone store move

In 1997, the Labour Court recommended a £1,500 contribution to a staff fund to settle a union claim over the relocation of Tesco Limited's Athlone premises. The recommendation was signed on 20 November 1997. Services Industrial Professional Technical Union sought an increase in the top pay scale from £206 to £215 and a £1,200 disturbance payment for staff. Thirty employees moved to the new premises after being offered the choice to move or stay. Tesco said the move was voluntary, the new shopping centre was a five-minute walk from the old store, and there would be no loss of pay or employment. The Court considered the parties' submissions and found Tesco's offer to contribute to the Staff Social Fund reasonable. It recommended payment of £1,500 to the fund in settlement of the claim.