Labour Court recommends further talks on Verville Retreat nurses’ pay claim

The Labour Court recommended further discussions over nurses’ pay and conditions at Verville Retreat Limited, following a claim by the Irish Nurses Organisation (Ino) for terms in line with Eastern Health Board staff. The recommendation was signed on 14 January 1999. The INO said the nurses worked directly for the Board and should receive the same rates and conditions as its staff. Verville Retreat Limited said it was a separate entity and that meeting the claim would cost about £63,000 a year, threatening its viability. The Court found strong and unusual links between Verville Retreat Limited and the Eastern Health Board, which it said had a major role in the facility. It also considered that granting the full claim could cause the company serious difficulties. It recommended that the parties resume discussions, with conciliation assistance if they wished, and said the dispute could return to the Court if unresolved by the end of February 1999.