Labour Court sends Waterways Ireland pay-parity dispute to conciliation

The Labour Court recommended that Waterways Ireland and the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union refer a pay-parity dispute to conciliation. The recommendation was signed on 19 May 2011. The union said workers in Portumna and Tullamore did substantially similar work to colleagues elsewhere but had less favourable pay and conditions. Waterways Ireland said they belonged to a different grade and cited a 1993 agreement and staffing constraints. The Court said it needed more information about the work, agreements and organisational structure before reaching a definitive view. It recommended that the parties seek conciliation and return to the Court if they did not reach agreement.