Labour Court recommends National College of Ireland pay staff one increment

The Labour Court recommended that National College of Ireland pay each eligible staff member one increment falling due on or after August 2013, then negotiate with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union on alternative pay progression arrangements. The recommendation was signed on 1 October 2014. The union said members who agreed to an incremental freeze expected credit to resume when the agreement expired. It argued the college had funds for increments but was pressing for performance-related pay. The college said its existing pay model was unsustainable and that pay and pensions had been restored from 1 August 2013. The Court said neither side had changed its position at conciliation, so meaningful engagement had not taken place. It recommended that negotiations continue through the Labour Relations Commission for up to three months after the recommendation was accepted. If no agreement was reached, the dispute should proceed to the final stage of the parties' dispute procedure for a definitive decision.