Labour Court recommends review of Teagasc farm staff bonus claim

In 1999, the Labour Court recommended an independent review of duties performed by six farm staff at Moorepark Research Centre after the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union sought a higher bonus. The recommendation was signed on 18 October. The union sought to raise the allowance from 15% to 25%, saying the workers had taken on extra duties after a new pig herd was introduced. Teagasc (Fermoy) said the 15% allowance adequately compensated them and cited a £12.67 weekly special pay increase and other benefits. The Court said it could not establish the merits of the claim. It recommended that the parties agree to a review comparing the duties with similar roles in commercial units and other Teagasc pig units, to assess whether there was reason to adjust the bonus. The review was to be completed by 28 January 2000.