WORKERS AT the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre have secured a victory in their three-year battle to have the same terms and conditions as Clare council employees.
This follows a Labour Court recommendation that Siptu members and the council-controlled Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd begin discussions on providing the employees rates of pay, sick pay and premium pay equivalent to their counterparts in the council.
The council spent €32 million in developing the centre and last year put in place cost-cutting measures in response to declining visitor numbers. The ruling is understood to relate to most of the 25 workers at the centre.
Director of Cliffs of Moher Ltd Ger Dollard said yesterday that the company would consider the Labour’s Court’s finding.
He said: “The centre has suffered significant losses in 2008 and 2009 and activity levels would suggest further losses in 2010 ... The company will consider . . . the recommendation.”
He said the issue referred to by the court was the only issue on which direct negotiations with the union did not deliver an agreed outcome. Staff relations at the site have been exceptionally positive since the centre opened.
Tony Kenny of Siptu said the Labour Court had vindicated the stance taken by the union in claiming employees should enjoy the same pay as their counterparts.
