Labour Court recommends review of Bausch & Lomb change programme

In 2005, the Labour Court recommended that the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union cooperate with Bausch & Lomb Ltd’s change programme at its Waterford plant. The recommendation, signed on 3 August 2005, calls for a review after the programme is implemented. The union sought a reward-for-change arrangement, saying automation and efficiency measures could affect workers’ earning potential and job security. The company said cooperation with normal ongoing change was covered by existing agreements and that the claim would increase costs. The Court said the programme’s full impact would not be clear until implementation, and recommended a review between the parties to assess that impact and address any issues under existing employment practices and agreements.