GSE 02-18 Proposed Pay Increase for Graded Staff in eir
14/September/2018
Description
Please find attached proposed agreement negotiated between the Union and the Company on pay increases for graded staff over the next three years.
The pay agreement, which is worth 2.7% per year, starting at the 1st July 2018 is cumulatively worth 8.3%. An example on the effect of the pay increase (COT1) is attached.
There is provision within the proposed agreement for the pay increases to enhance the pensionable pay of our members, despite the rules of the eir Pension Accord.
There are two provisions to the agreement which the company have sought and they are;
- Medicals
- Updating Disciplinary/ Grievance Procedures
Medicals
It is the view of the Union that where Medicals are necessary, a clear and concise agreement is needed that covers the following;
- Who carries out the Medical?
- What are the processes within the Medical?
- What will be the requirement from the Medical in terms of capabilities?
- In the unfortunate event that somebody is deemed medically unfit, what processes will be put in place to help them return to work? Whether those processes be mechanical or so-called light duties.
There must be provision for referral to a medical referee in circumstances where there is a disagreement between the company and employee’s doctor. There is also a need to develop Medicals for all staff members, which are related to the work those members carry out.
Updating Discipline/Grievance Procedures
The Union and the Company have been working for some time on a Revised Disciplinary Code, but for one reason or another we have not finalised that agreement.
The original purpose of revising the code was to reflect the new structures and agreements made over the past many years, as the codes often refer to old departmental structures. It is not the intention of the Union to worsen conditions, if anything, we would like to see them improved.
Both the medical issues and the update Discipline/Grievance Codes will be subject to negotiation and agreed with the National Executive Council.
Once you consider, all the above circumstances, I am satisfied the pay agreement on offer is a good agreement. I believe that fact is reflected by the decision of the National Executive Council to recommend this agreement unanimously. If the agreement is passed, it then leaves us free to deal with the issue of the eir Pension Accord. I have received written confirmation from the CEO, Ms Carolan Lennon, that the process will begin early in October and there is no doubt in my mind that it will be better to deal with that issue after we have put the pay issues to bed.
Therefore, I ask that you study the documentation carefully before you cast your ballot and in doing so, keep in mind the recommendation from the people you recently elected to run your Union.
Pay Agreement Proposals for Graded Staff