Labour Court urges Kilkenny County Council and Six Workers to use dispute procedures

The Labour Court recommended that Kilkenny County Council and Six Workers use their established procedures to resolve a dispute over overtime and related matters. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union referred the dispute to the Court under section 20(1) of the Industrial Relations Act 1969. The union said the council had withdrawn overtime payments and failed to engage meaningfully, and sought payment of overtime due and a direction on engagement. The council said it had participated in agreed processes and remained willing to use them. In its recommendation dated 20 May 2022, the Court said it saw no benefit in making a recommendation under section 20(1) while established procedures remained available. It urged the parties to use those procedures and recommended that they seek Workplace Relations Commission assistance with broader issues. The Court noted the council’s assurance that it would cooperate.