Labour Court rejects union claim to include Diageo drivers’ meal allowance in pensionable pay

The Labour Court rejected the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s claim that Diageo Ireland Limited include drivers’ meal allowances in pensionable pay. The recommendation was dated 1 August 2006. The union argued that the allowance was taxable, paid during annual leave and linked to contracted hours. Diageo said the pension scheme defined pay as basic salary and excluded other allowances unless the company specifically authorised them. The Court found no grounds to include meal allowances in pensionable pay and rejected the claim.