Menu
08/03/2011
Striking Hotel Staff Reinstated
The Labour Court has ordered the O'Callaghan Hotel Group to reinstate striking workers on their old minimum wage rate of €8.65. The hotel group was criticised for cutting the wages of housekeeping staff that were on the minimum wage.
The row arose after the outgoing government lowered the national minimum wage from €8.65 an hour to €7.65 from 1 February.
Staff in the Davenport hotel were told they would have to sign documents agreeing to cut their pay rate to €7.80 per hour.
Five members of the housekeeping staff refused to accede and were removed from the roster. They subsequently went on strike.
The Labour Court was not satisfied that the employees had been provided with all the relevant information, or given a reasonable period to reflect or take advice.
The court said that because the employer had not provided financial information, it could not support the company's submission that the pay cut was necessary to sustain jobs.
It was also noted that the company had not pleaded inability to pay.
The court was also not satisfied that a clear procedure for resolving such disputes in a fair and reasonable way had been put in place and that in light of these factors, the employers' actions were not fair or reasonable.
It was held by the court that the employees concerned be reinstated in their employment, on their contract rates of pay, with effect from the date on which they were removed from the duty roster. The Labour Court ordered that they be paid all the monies they would have earned had they not been removed.
The incoming government has pledged to reverse the cut in the minimum wage during its first 100 days in office.
(JG)
The row arose after the outgoing government lowered the national minimum wage from €8.65 an hour to €7.65 from 1 February.
Staff in the Davenport hotel were told they would have to sign documents agreeing to cut their pay rate to €7.80 per hour.
Five members of the housekeeping staff refused to accede and were removed from the roster. They subsequently went on strike.
The Labour Court was not satisfied that the employees had been provided with all the relevant information, or given a reasonable period to reflect or take advice.
The court said that because the employer had not provided financial information, it could not support the company's submission that the pay cut was necessary to sustain jobs.
It was also noted that the company had not pleaded inability to pay.
The court was also not satisfied that a clear procedure for resolving such disputes in a fair and reasonable way had been put in place and that in light of these factors, the employers' actions were not fair or reasonable.
It was held by the court that the employees concerned be reinstated in their employment, on their contract rates of pay, with effect from the date on which they were removed from the duty roster. The Labour Court ordered that they be paid all the monies they would have earned had they not been removed.
The incoming government has pledged to reverse the cut in the minimum wage during its first 100 days in office.
(JG)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 September 2005
Minimum wage rises to £5.05 from Saturday
The increase in the National Minimum Wage will guarantee a small pay rise to more than 1.3 million workers from Saturday 1st October. The adult rate will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 per hour, while the youth rate, paid to 18-21 year-olds, will go up from £4.10 per hour to £4.25.
Minimum wage rises to £5.05 from Saturday
The increase in the National Minimum Wage will guarantee a small pay rise to more than 1.3 million workers from Saturday 1st October. The adult rate will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 per hour, while the youth rate, paid to 18-21 year-olds, will go up from £4.10 per hour to £4.25.
24 June 2014
Living Wage Commission Exposes In-Work Poverty
Unite the union has renewed calls for an immediate increase to the national minimum wage to tackle in-work poverty, following the publication of the Living Wage Commission's findings.
Living Wage Commission Exposes In-Work Poverty
Unite the union has renewed calls for an immediate increase to the national minimum wage to tackle in-work poverty, following the publication of the Living Wage Commission's findings.
30 November 2006
Irish Labour Affairs Minister To Consult On Minimum Wage
Ireland's Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen has received the Labour Court’s recommendation in relation to the national minimum hourly rate of pay. However, the Minister said that the Economic and Social Research Institute would be consulted before deciding whether to increase the minimum wage.
Irish Labour Affairs Minister To Consult On Minimum Wage
Ireland's Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen has received the Labour Court’s recommendation in relation to the national minimum hourly rate of pay. However, the Minister said that the Economic and Social Research Institute would be consulted before deciding whether to increase the minimum wage.
26 July 2017
Call For Greater Minimum Wage Increase
The Independent Alliance has been urged to "flex their muscles" and support member Minister John Halligan's call for the minimum wage to increase by more than the thirty cent recommendation. Minister Halligan described the recommendation from the Low Pay Commission to raise the rate from €9.25 to €9.55 as "miserly, derisory and quite pathetic".
Call For Greater Minimum Wage Increase
The Independent Alliance has been urged to "flex their muscles" and support member Minister John Halligan's call for the minimum wage to increase by more than the thirty cent recommendation. Minister Halligan described the recommendation from the Low Pay Commission to raise the rate from €9.25 to €9.55 as "miserly, derisory and quite pathetic".
19 December 2012
Employers Breach Minimum Wage Rule
Half of the workplaces inspected by the National Employment Rights Agency (NERA), between January and October 2012, for compliance with the National Minimum Wage were found to be paying under the €8.65 hourly rate.
Employers Breach Minimum Wage Rule
Half of the workplaces inspected by the National Employment Rights Agency (NERA), between January and October 2012, for compliance with the National Minimum Wage were found to be paying under the €8.65 hourly rate.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
