Labour Court recommends sick pay change for Limerick council workers

The Labour Court recommended that the proposal by Limerick City & County Council be accepted, on the clear basis that implementation will not negatively affect any worker. The collective dispute involved about 270 workers represented by SIPTU LAPO and FORSA, and the Council was represented by the Local Government Management Agency. The recommendation, dated 18 June 2021, concerned a proposed change to how the Council operates its sick pay scheme. The union said the change was proposed without negotiation or agreement and could delay workers’ receipt of sick pay. The Council said it was an administrative change that would not affect earnings or entitlements. The Court said the parties should jointly review the arrangement three months after implementation, including whether any worker suffered a financial impact and whether a workaround addressed delays in DEASP payments.