Labour Court recommends unions’ pay-scale interpretation at Iarnrod Eireann

In 2002, the Labour Court recommended that Iarnrod Eireann accept the interpretation sought by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Amicus AEEU in a dispute over moving existing craftworkers to a new pay scale. The recommendation was signed on 6 December 2002. The unions said workers should be placed on the new scale according to years of service. Iarnrod Eireann argued that its method maintained the balance of the incremental scale and said the unions’ proposal would cost an additional €62,000. The Court found the agreement could be read as the unions argued and said the company should have clarified any different intention during negotiations. It considered that the company’s method would benefit only a minority of employees.