Labour Court recommends sick pay review and working-hours committee in Smurfit Kappa dispute

The Labour Court recommended changes to parts of the agreement between Smurfit Kappa News Press Limited and Services Industrial Professional Technical Union after a dispute over grievance procedures, sick pay, working hours and pay. The recommendation was dated 18 January 2007. The Court recommended an immediate joint review of the sick-pay scheme and a Joint Committee to consider working-hours issues, with its work to finish by 30 April 2007. It recommended keeping the existing grievance clause, while ensuring grievances were handled promptly and effectively. It did not recommend conceding the general pay claim, and called on the parties to resume talks on the night-work differential. The union said pay fell below industry norms and sought a larger night-work differential. The company argued that short-notice flexibility was necessary for its business and that the pay claim would cost €1.4 million.