Labour Court recommends 3% training fund for local authority general operatives

The Labour Court recommended that local authorities create a training and development fund equal to 3% of the payroll for the grades involved, including general operatives. Local Authorities, represented by the Local Government Management Services Board, and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union were in dispute over training provision. The Court also recommended that local management plan and provide training, and that the parties establish a national forum to monitor provision. The unions had sought a €6.35 million fund for two years followed by a 3% gross-payroll contribution. The recommendation was dated 13 March 2003.