Labour Court recommends 3.5% pay rise for 28 First Circle Group workers

The Labour Court recommended a 3.5% pay increase for 28 workers at First Circle Group’s Ballitore plant, effective from 1 May 2025 for 12 months. It also recommended discussions on a company discount scheme and increasing the voucher payment to €100. The recommendation was signed on 30 September 2025. SIPTU brought the pay claim after the previous agreement expired on 30 April 2025. The union said workers had low base pay and expected increases to follow those at a client site, as they had in the past. First Circle Group said its financial position could not support matching the client’s increases, after its parent company provided a cash injection in April to cover costs.