Labour Court rejects Organon Ireland unions’ claim for pay rise and smoke-break payment

The Labour Court did not recommend a pay increase or a £1,500 payment per worker for about 25 craft workers at Organon Ireland Limited who were asked to give up two daily breaks. The recommendation was signed on 13 November 2001. The Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union and the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union said the breaks had been taken for about 11 years and that an earlier deal for production operatives should extend to craft workers. The company said it did not require changes from the craft workers and disputed that they had an entitlement to five breaks a day. The Court viewed the dispute as one about a relative payment and did not recommend the unions’ claim.