Labour Court finds Kilsaran breached union consultation agreement

The Labour Court found that Kilsaran Group breached its agreement with SIPTU by failing to consult the unions over situations arising between 2008 and 2010. The Court recommended that the company comply with the agreement and negotiate with the unions over claims for enhanced redundancy packages if short-time working, lay-offs or redundancies arise in future. SIPTU and Unite said overtime premiums and an attendance bonus had been cut without consultation and sought improved redundancy terms. Kilsaran Group cited difficult market conditions and said its redundancy selection process followed the 1994 agreement. The Court said the selection process appeared to comply with that agreement, which did not set enhanced severance terms. The recommendation was signed on 17 February 2011.