SIPTU has called on an IBEC appointee to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Board to consider her position following hercriticism of a highly significant Labour Court recommendation issued under the Industrial Relations Act 2015. SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said: “The fact that a member of the WRC Board, which as part of its functions is to promote and encourage compliance with relevant employment legislation, would come out and publicly attack the Labour Court is extremely disappointing. As a consequence, Maeve McElwee, who as well as serving on the WRC Board is the Head of Industrial Relations for IBEC, should consider her position.” McElwee made her wide-ranging criticism of the Labour Court recommendation in Industrial Relations News published today (Thursday, 16th June). The highly significant Labour Court recommendation she criticised was issued on 3rd June and provides for increases in pay and conditions at the Freshways Food Company in Ballymun, Dublin.

 The recommendation was issued under the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015 which provides for binding increases in pay and conditions in circumstances where it is not the practice of an employer to engage in collective bargaining.