In its ruling on the long running dispute between SIPTU and Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd., The Labour Court this week recommended that the parties engage in discussion with a view to agreeing an interim improvement in pay and conditions of employment.
SIPTU who represent 16 employees of the 56 employees currently employed had brought a case for the application of Local Authority pay and conditions to staff employed by the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd., a limited company responsible for the operation of the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre.
The company had previously rejected such an approach on the basis that it would render the business unsustainable and jeopardise the viability of the Centre.
In its recommendation, The Labour Court confirmed that the independent financial assessment recommended by the Court had established that the financial position of the company could not sustain a move to local authority pay rates and conditions. The estimated cost of implementing the SIPTU claim was indicated in the independent financial assessment at €487,000 at current pay rates.
The Court noted the company’s willingness to negotiate an improvement in pay and conditions consistent with the prudent management of the Company’s finances. The Court also noted the willingness of SIPTU to recognise that the Company does not have the financial capacity to meet its claim in full at this time.
In this context and taking into account the Financial Assessor’s report, the Court recommended that the parties engage in discussion with a view to agreeing an interim improvement in pay and conditions of employment. The Court further recommended that the matter be reviewed again two years after the conclusion of this round of negotiations in the context of the circumstances then prevailing.
“The company’s primary aim is to maintain employment and to operate one of Ireland’s most popular attractions to a world class standard on a financially sustainable basis,” commented Gerard Dollard, Director, Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd.
“The company is open to enter negotiations with SIPTU having regard to the overall management of the company’s finances and the financial capacity of the company,” he concluded.
SIPTU who represent 16 employees of the 56 employees currently employed had brought a case for the application of Local Authority pay and conditions to staff employed by the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd., a limited company responsible for the operation of the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre.
The company had previously rejected such an approach on the basis that it would render the business unsustainable and jeopardise the viability of the Centre.
In its recommendation, The Labour Court confirmed that the independent financial assessment recommended by the Court had established that the financial position of the company could not sustain a move to local authority pay rates and conditions. The estimated cost of implementing the SIPTU claim was indicated in the independent financial assessment at €487,000 at current pay rates.
The Court noted the company’s willingness to negotiate an improvement in pay and conditions consistent with the prudent management of the Company’s finances. The Court also noted the willingness of SIPTU to recognise that the Company does not have the financial capacity to meet its claim in full at this time.
In this context and taking into account the Financial Assessor’s report, the Court recommended that the parties engage in discussion with a view to agreeing an interim improvement in pay and conditions of employment. The Court further recommended that the matter be reviewed again two years after the conclusion of this round of negotiations in the context of the circumstances then prevailing.
“The company’s primary aim is to maintain employment and to operate one of Ireland’s most popular attractions to a world class standard on a financially sustainable basis,” commented Gerard Dollard, Director, Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd.
“The company is open to enter negotiations with SIPTU having regard to the overall management of the company’s finances and the financial capacity of the company,” he concluded.
