Labour Court recommends talks and restoration of Arcadia uniform allowance

In 2010, the Labour Court recommended that Arcadia Group Multiples (Ireland) Limited and Mandate negotiate over delayed pay increases and restore the previous uniform allowance. The recommendation was dated 24 August 2010. The dispute concerned the second phase of a pay agreement due in September and October 2009 and a reduction in the uniform discount from 75% to 60%. Mandate said the company had imposed both changes without real discussion and that the discount cut increased workers' costs. The company cited a dramatic fall in sales and said the 60% allowance remained competitive. The Court noted that the company acted unilaterally in withholding the agreed pay increases. It recommended serious negotiations, beginning as soon as possible and concluding within a month, with an agreement in line with those reached at similar retail businesses. It also recommended restoring the uniform allowance to its previous level.