Labour Court backs 1988 shift-payment terms at Bissell Ireland

In 1999, the Labour Court recommended that Bissell Ireland Limited, the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union set out clear written rules for future negotiations over workers moved from shifts to day work. The dispute centred on whether a 1990 local arrangement entitled affected workers to half their average shift premium plus £400. The company argued that the arrangement applied only to four employees in specific circumstances. The Court said the appropriate payment was under the comprehensive 1988 agreement and accepted the limited scope of the 1990 arrangement.