Journalists at the Irish In- dependent are expected to vote on a new agreement today that could end the 10-year-old, two-tier pay system in the newspaper.
Although the company is not offering any pay rises over and above those outlined in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, it is prepared to phase out lower pay rates for staff who joined the newspaper after 1991. These could see salaries rise by almost a third over the next two years if the deal is accepted.
In 1991 existing staff received an 11 per cent increase for changes in work practices that did not apply to new recruits. At present the senior staff journalist grade runs from around £31,000 to £41,000 a year, but journalists recruited after 1991 earn £28,000 to £37,600. About 90 of the 240 journalists are on the lower scale.
The other major concession is the introduction of pension index ation. Although this is capped at 2 per cent it is the first time such a measure has been introduced.
The Irish Independent chapel (section) of the National Union of Journalists met in mandatory session for four hours yesterday to discuss the complex and wide-ranging agreement, which provides for greater flexibility in work practices and also for greater consultation with journalists on change and editorial policy.
It also has an industrial peace clause that binds both sides not to resort to lockouts or industrial action before referring disputes to the Labour Relations Commission, the Rights Commissioners' Service in the case of individual employees, and the Labour Court.