Labour Court rejects sick-pay claim against Willamette Europe

The Labour Court rejected the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s claim for improved sick pay at Willamette Europe Limited, finding the existing scheme was not substantially out of line with appropriate employments under Partnership 2000. It recommended that the parties meet after the agreement ended to discuss possible improvements on a quid pro quo basis and monitor the scheme for abuse. The union sought payment of the difference between net pay and Social Welfare benefit for 12 weeks, or 26 weeks in continuous hospitalisation. Willamette Europe opposed improvements, citing previous increases in absenteeism. The recommendation was dated 6 October 1998.