Workers at the pharmaceutical chain Boots have referred a dispute over pay to the Labour Court.
The Mandate trade union has been calling for pay rises for all members of staff as a result of “several years of increased profits and exceptional growth”.
Boots, however, has refused to comply with these demands – and has instead initiated a voluntary pay “review” with staff that are on pre-2009 pay scales.
The company said this was in order to “bring all pay rates in line”.
The union said it had referred the pay dispute to the Labour Court due to the exhaustion of the Labour Relations Commission process.
Divisional organiser for Mandate Brendan O’Hanlon said the company had “threatened” workers on pre-2009 pay scales with a loss of their productivity bonuses and an agreed Christmas bonus unless they accepted a pay reduction of up to 18 per cent.
“Last year alone, Boots Ireland increased profits to €17.8 million, yet the company is refusing to commit to a wage increase for all workers. This is completely unacceptable to our members who have helped build the company during the past number of years.”
Boots said the new package includes a realigned pay rate, a lump sum 18-month payment and the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.
“This is an optional pay review and colleagues can choose to remain on their current pay scale if they wish,” said the company’s HR director Carmel O’Brien.
