Labour Court recommends Valentia Industries pay claim should not be pursued

In 2002, the Labour Court recommended that Services Industrial Professional Technical Union should not pursue a pay claim against Valentia Industries Limited at that time. The union sought a pay increase for its members at the company's Valentia Island plant, similar to an increase agreed at a Waterford plant, on the basis that pay parity existed. Valentia Industries Limited rejected the claim, saying the companies were separate and had never had pay parity. The Court said the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness constrained it from recommending a concession because the claim would increase costs.