Labour Court sees no justification for Roadstone Provinces pay and pension claims before agreement ratification

The Labour Court saw no justification for raising pay and pension issues at Roadstone Provinces while ratification of the Central Pay Agreement remained unfinished. Its recommendation was dated 20 July 2006. Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, Technical Engineering and Electrical Union and AGEMO represented about 700 craft and general operative grade employees. They sought pay parity with construction industry rates and changes to pension arrangements, saying company pay rates lagged behind construction rates and pension benefits had been eroded by social welfare improvements. The company said the claims were inappropriate during national negotiations and its terms exceeded those of competitors. The Court noted the company intended to meet with the unions once the agreement was finalised.