A significant pay increase and health policy coverage for all employees has been achieved by members employed in Edenderry Power Ltd following a vote to accept a Labour Court recommendation secured on these issues in March 2024.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “A significant issue arose in this workplace regarding the provision of health care coverage.
In 2021 it transpired that two new entrants were not included in the health care coverage. SIPTU representatives were successful in getting coverage for them in the same manner as their colleagues.
However, it came to the Union’s attention that the policy on providing health care has been changed arbitrarily and once again new entrants were being denied this condition of employment.”
The issue was fought strenuously by SIPTU representatives alongside a battle to secure a decent pay-rise.
The dispute resulted in a Labour Court recommendation which included:
- The seven members who were denied entry to health insurance coverage be given access to it.
- The seven members who were limited to 22-day annual leave be given 25 days annual leave going forward.
- The entitlements above will be on a red-circled basis and will not apply to new entrants.
- On pay the Court recommended that pay be increased as follows for a two-year agreement that commences on the 1st April 2023 and ends on the 31st March 2025.
1st April 2023 – 4%
1st January 2024 – 4.25%
1st January 2025 – 1%
He added: “The Court noted that both sides had agreed to suspend the clause in the collective agreement that stated that a Labour Court referral would be a binding outcome to allow for a ballot. The recommendation was accepted.”