Labour Court called for talks on Carmen Centre attendants’ grading

In 1998, the Labour Court recommended urgent negotiations between Leopardstown Park Hospital/Carmen Centre and the Irish Municipal, Public And Civil Trade Union over the grading and pay of two Carmen Centre attendants. It recommended a job evaluation before talks, with the Labour Relations Commission assisting. The recommendation was dated 15 December 1998. The union sought assistant houseparent grading and 25 days’ annual leave. The hospital argued that assistant houseparents had greater qualifications and management responsibilities, and said the attendants received 22 or 23 days’ leave in practice. The Court noted that both sides agreed the demands of the attendants’ job exceeded the value management had initially placed on it.