Labour Court recommends joint working party on machinery changes

The Labour Court recommended that Irish Co-Op Society / Europaks Corrugated Cases Limited and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union set up a joint working party to develop a partnership model for changes following the introduction of new machinery. The recommendation was signed on 2 August 2002. The union had sought a bonus system and compensation for overtime lost after the machinery change. The company opposed a bonus and said it had agreed to extend a €6.35 weekly increase for continuous running to conversion staff. The Court said the continuous-running issue was no longer disputed, but disagreement over two reports had delayed implementation. The working party was to identify improvements, involve workers’ representatives in setting goals and consider sharing quantified production gains. The Court said the Labour Relations Commission Advisory Service could support the process.