Labour Court rejects direct pay parity claim for workshop staff

In 2001, the Labour Court did not recommend direct pay parity with post-restructuring FÁS grades for Community Training Workshop staff. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union sought a further pay increase under Clause 2(iii) of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, arguing the 1997 agreement did not cover it. I.A.C.T.O. said the 1997 deal included the clause, had been accepted by staff and was fully implemented. The Court said the deal had brought workshop salary scales into line with FÁS grades and addressed implementation of an earlier Labour Court recommendation. It did not recommend direct parity, but said the union could negotiate a similar productivity deal. The recommendation was signed on 21 June 2001.