The Company wrote to the Union on the 11th April 2006 detailing the its intentions regarding leave and payment arrangements over the Easter period for staff encompassed by the Collection and Delivery Agreement.

Within that letter the Company stated

“Clause 4.2 of the Agreement provides that overtime will not be permitted during work breaks unless authorised by management and subject to the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.  Accordingly a paid meal relief for overtime attendances over the Easter Weekend (14 – 18 April 2006) would not apply.”

Based on the above, a dispute arose between the Union and the Company and the matter was referred to the Monitoring Group appointed by the Labour Court to deal with disputes regarding interpretation of the Agreement.

Submissions from both parties were considered by the Monitoring Group on Thursday 13th April.  The Monitoring Group’s interpretation of the Agreement was that meal relief payments for Good Friday should continue as heretofore.  With regard to meal relief payments for overtime worked on other days off, the Monitoring Group undertook to consider the matter further prior to placing an interpretation on the Agreement.  In the meantime, the change should be implemented.  However, should the interpretation be as claimed by the Union, retrospective payments will be made to those who attend for overtime on a day off during the intervening period.