November 12th: As over 1,100 Unite members in Irish Life prepared to down tools and ‘swipe out’ for a second time in Dublin and Dundalk today, Unite called on the company to attend the Labour Court in respect of all its members.
The dispute centres on Irish Life’s unilateral imposition of a new pay model which breaks the link between pay and profits, and pay and inflation, and which deprives members of certainty regarding future pay progression. Irish Life has thus far refused to engage meaningfully with Unite in respect of all its workers.
Speaking in advance of today’s stoppage, Unite Regional Officer Maeve Brehony said:
“Irish Life is unilaterally imposing a new pay model without the agreement of its workers. This model, which breaks the link between pay and inflation and pay and profits, effectively excludes Irish Life staff from the company’s success. This is bad for our members, bad for morale – and, ultimately, bad for Irish Life
“The resolution of this dispute is in Irish Life’s hands. They need to give an unequivocal assurance that they will attend the Labour Court in respect of all 1,100 Unite members, and negotiate rather than dictate the future pay structure”, Ms Brehony said.