In 2007, the Labour Court did not recommend conceding Mandate’s claims against Joseph Murphy’s Limited (Ballina) for higher pay, earlier wage increases, more annual leave and paid release for union activists. The recommendation was signed on 16 October 2007. Mandate said its claims were fair and that the company lagged comparable employers on pay and leave. The company said the claims would increase costs and were precluded by the national wage agreement, while stating that union representatives could take time off for their functions. The Court said the claims could not succeed in the context of the agreement’s pay provisions.