Labour Court recommends higher hourly rates for Aramark catering staff

The Labour Court recommended new hourly rates for about 53 Aramark catering staff in a pay and progression dispute. From 1 December 2022, staff earning €11 or less an hour should move to €11.55, while those earning €11.01 or more but less than €12 should move to €12. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU) said the staff were excluded from a 2021 job review, lacked incremental progression and were paid less than comparable workers. It sought a minimum hourly rate of €12. Aramark said the review covered Patient Food Service Care roles, which included a patient-care element, and that staff had received a 7% pay increase in 2021. The Court noted that the group’s hourly rates ranged from €10.71 to €11.78, with most earning €10.92 or €11.33. It also recommended that any general benefits from Aramark’s forthcoming pay discussions apply equally to the group.