Labour Court recommends £1,000 goodwill payment in Limerick Corporation dispute

In 2001, the Labour Court recommended a £1,000 goodwill payment to stores staff who helped with the transition after Limerick Corporation privatised its refuse collection service. The recommendation, dated 3 September 2001, followed a claim by Services Industrial Professional Technical Union Mandate on behalf of five employees. The unions sought £3,000 per worker, arguing that stores staff supported the refuse service and that other affected groups received compensation. Limerick Corporation said the staff had no direct role in refuse collection and had suffered no change in working practices or loss of earnings. The Court recommended the payment for claimants who assisted with the transition, in return for acceptance that the Corporation could seek some work-practice changes. The unions also committed to making no further claims arising from the privatisation.