A dispute between IMPACT and Roscommon County Council over changes to flexi-leave is set to go to the Labour Court following consultations at the WRC in mid-May.
A Labour Court recommendation last year outlined new measures on opening times and flexi-time, which included extending opening hours. A clarification issued by the Labour Court last November stated the Council can restrict access to flexi-time arrangements in line with its business needs.
IMPACT assistant general secretary Padraig Mulligan explained that Council management then cut the amount of the flexi-leave Council staff could accrue. “Management cut the number of available days from 13 to two, reducing the amount of worked-up time that can be carried over from month to month, and took control of the scheme away from line managers who understand local service needs.”
IMPACT members at the Council took part in limited industrial action from 9th May. 150 staff refused to answer phones at certain times and ceased work outside of working hours.
On 10th May, the Labour Court issued a clarification to all parties. It said the Court had made no recommendation on flexi-leave or its accrual. The Court’s recommendation and subsequent clarification deals only with the flexi-time bandwidths to apply in the context of certain opening times of business. The clarification said here was no dispute before the Court a regards accrual of flexi-leave.
Padraig said management has refused to fully implement the original Labour Court recommendation. “Management has taken the autonomy away from local line managers, selectively interpreted a Labour Court recommendation and has done so in a way that seems specifically designed to alienate loyal and hardworking staff. It’s set now for an early hearing at the Labour Court, which we hope will resolve the matter."
