Labour Court recommends €1,500 payment and €500 voucher in Irish Cement dispute

The Labour Court recommended a one-off payment of €1,500 per person, plus a €500 voucher, in a gain-sharing dispute involving Irish Cement Limited, Unite the Union and Connect Trade Union. The recommendation was signed on 5 March 2018. The unions sought a share of gains from the company’s use of solid recoverable fuel, citing extra responsibilities and unpleasant handling work. Irish Cement argued alternative fuels were established practice and that savings had been offset by price movements. The Court said it was difficult to see how gain-sharing could succeed, but recommended the payment proposal to conclude the dispute.