SIPTU members are considering their response following Crown Paints management’s break with its long established positive relationship with the Union.
SIPTU Organiser, Hugh Kennedy, said: “SIPTU has always had a very good relationship with this company and has negotiated on all matters relating to the members’ terms and conditions of employment including redundancies. Recently the company moved most of its operation out of Ireland to a new facility in the UK and since this negotiations have taken place with its UK based Human Resources Department.
“Discussions were due to start regarding a new pay proposal but unfortunately the company refused to engage with the Union. Instead it tried to implement a criteria-based incentive pay increase scheme citing that this is what is now applied in the UK.
“SIPTU members objected and requested that the company revert back to negotiations on this matter. Management refused stating there was no official collective bargaining agreement and dismissing long established precedence. The matter was referred to the Workplace Relations Commission which management also refused to engage with.”
He added: “Our members in Crown Paints are now considering what their response will be to this situation, including the possibility of balloting for industrial action.”