Labour Court recommends urgent talks over caretaker duties at St Oliver’s Primary School

The Labour Court recommended urgent discussions at St Oliver’s Primary School after a dispute over teachers carrying out work the union said belonged to a caretaker employed there for more than 20 years. The recommendation was dated 18 October 1999. The school did not attend the hearing or provide a written submission, and the Court said it did not know the employer’s position. It said normal caretaker duties appeared to be carried out by other staff, who seemed unclear about the caretaker’s responsibilities. The Court recommended clarifying the caretaker’s duties, providing appropriate time and resources to carry them out, and addressing difficulties. It said the parties should meet urgently and report progress by 25 November 1999.