LABOUR COURT RECOMMENDS INCREASE IN WORKING HOURS FOR GALWAY’S LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Date Published: 11-Sep-2012

A Labour Court ruling has recommended that full-time staff at Galway city and county councils have their weekly working hours increased to a minimum of 34.

Galway City Council currently has a working week of 33 hours while the county council has the lowest working week of all 16 local authorities impaced at 32 point 55 hours.

The ruling which is to be introduced in March next year will see 5 thousand staff nationwide in clerical, admin, engineering, technical and related grades, working some additional time.

General Operative outdoor staff already work a 39 hour week.

In Galway City Council, 120 members registered with Impact Trade Union are to be affected, while at County level, 281 members will be affected.

Niall Shanahan is spokesperson for Impact Trade Union and says the recommendation is binding on all parties and curtails management proposals for a 35 hour week.