Labour Court backs buy-out of Iralco “dirty money” allowance, rejects extension claim

The Labour Court recommended that the Amalgamated Transport And General Workers' Union accept the buy-out of the €15.24 “dirty money” allowance at Iralco after the polishing department was disbanded. It did not recommend the union’s claim to extend the payment to about 27 additional workers. The recommendation was dated 25 November 2004. The union argued that the allowance reflected the work and should cover new workers doing the same polishing tasks. Iralco said it had compensated staff for conditions in the former polishing room, and the 1998 agreement provided for the allowance to be bought out for staff outside that department.