Labour Court recommends phased changes to local authority working hours

The Labour Court recommended phased changes to working hours across Local Authorities, including a 34-hour week for some existing full-time staff and a 35-hour week for new and promoted staff. Local Authorities, represented by LGMA, sought a 35-hour week; the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union argued existing staff’s hours were protected and an increase would reduce hourly pay. In a recommendation signed on 7 September 2012, the Court said some authorities had not completed the consultation required under the Public Service Agreement and set 1 March 2013 as the implementation date, allowing more time for consultation. It said standardising hours across the wider public service was a matter for national-level discussions.