Labour Court recommends enhanced redundancy terms for 44 Lacpatrick Dairies workers

The Labour Court recommended enhanced redundancy terms for 44 Lacpatrick Dairies workers in a dispute with the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The recommendation was dated 26 September 2019. The union sought the 2006 Lakeland Dairies package, arguing the merged business could afford it. Lacpatrick Dairies said it was in financial difficulty and was not party to the earlier agreement. The Court recommended four weeks’ pay per year of service, inclusive of statutory redundancy, subject to a two-year cap and a limit based on expected earnings to normal retirement age. Full statutory redundancy would remain payable. It also recommended top-ups of €900, €2,500 for at least 10 years’ service, or €5,000 for at least 20 years’ service; these payments are outside the cap. The recommendation was in full and final settlement of the union’s claim.