Labour Court recommends Bus Eireann backdate drivers’ sick pay rate

The Labour Court recommended that Bus Eireann apply the consolidated pay rate to drivers’ sick pay from 3 December 2017, with arrears paid no later than the first pay period in January 2019. The recommendation was dated 14 November 2018. Bus Eireann had continued to calculate sick pay using the former basic rate after consolidated pay was introduced. The National Bus and Rail Union and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union argued the consolidated rate applied and disputed the employer’s right to change the scheme unilaterally. Bus Eireann agreed to use the rate going forward from 1 October 2018, leaving the backdating in dispute. Bus Eireann cited increased sick leave, replacement-driver and overtime costs. The Court recommended backdating the consolidated rate for workers absent on sick leave between 3 December 2017 and 1 October 2018.