Labour Court sends Eastern Health Board porters’ regrading claim to partnership committees

The Labour Court recommended that the Eastern Health Board’s claim over regrading three porters be dealt with urgently through proposed partnership committees. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union sought regrading to general assistants or increased pay, arguing the porters’ duties resembled that role. The Board said the roles differed. The Court also said the Board should improve the employees’ working environment, noted that agreed key money should be paid immediately, and said previously unpaid overtime should be addressed. The recommendation was dated 29 January 1999.