Labour Court recommends £3.75 hourly rate at Marian Court

In 1997, the Labour Court recommended that Marian Court Sheltered Accommodation raise employees’ hourly rate to £3.75 from 1 April 1997 and add the first phase of Programme 2000 from 1 July 1997. The recommendation, following a dispute with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, was signed on 16 December 1997. The union had sought an increase from £3.50 to £4.00 an hour, saying pay and conditions lagged those of comparable health-board workers. Management said higher staffing costs could strain the complex’s finances and lead to increased resident charges. The Court recommended the lower hourly rate increase and the Programme 2000 phase.