Labour Court recommends further lump sum for Smurfit Print workers but rejects 5% rate claim

In 1998, the Labour Court recommended a further lump sum for nine Smurfit Print workers but did not recommend the union’s claim for an additional 5% binding rate. The amount of the further payment was to be negotiated by the parties. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (Printing Trades' Branch) argued that the workers should receive the 5% rate under a company-union agreement. Smurfit Print said they had already received a £1,500 lump sum and job-related payments greater than the rate. The Court said negotiations had focused partly on reorganising work to pursue alternative business and preserve jobs. It said it did not recommend the 5% claim for workers already receiving percentages, but recommended a further lump sum. The recommendation was signed on 22 May 1998.