Labour Court postpones decision on Independent Newspapers work claim

The Labour Court postponed a decision on Irish Print Group’s claim to return magazine and supplement production to 28 union members at Independent Newspapers Limited. It recommended that discussions begin on 1 June 2003, with the matter eligible to return to the Court if no agreement is reached. The recommendation was signed on 11 October 2002. The work had been outsourced to Smurfits. Irish Print Group argued it should return to Abbey Street under an earlier agreement. The company said it could return the work only with changes including longer hours, five-shift working and multi-skilling, and said it lacked the resources to fund the changes at the time. The Court took account of the company’s trading situation and recommended postponing its decision while the parties pursued discussions.