Labour Court recommends new pay scale at Fournier Laboratories

The Labour Court recommended that Fournier Laboratories Ltd introduce a formal pay scale, starting at €534 a week and rising to €564 after one year and €593 after two. Dated 24 May 2006, the recommendation followed a dispute with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU) over pay, leave, procedures and canteen facilities. The Court said the company's performance-based pay system was out of line with normal practice in the sector, where workers generally received a basic rate with any performance element paid as a bonus. Existing rates above the recommended scale would be retained, and the Court recommended no change to the bonus schemes. For staff working four-cycle shifts, it recommended a choice between current overtime arrangements and double time for two extra hours, with an additional hour of leave in lieu. It also recommended grievance and disciplinary procedures providing for appropriate employee representation, procedures under the victimisation code, and canteen facilities within three months.