The Labour Court has recommended that a Waterford builders’ providers and DIY retailer pay a combined €48,000 to staff as a goodwill gesture in exchange for the introduction of a new in‑store two‑way radio communication system.

In its recommendation, deputy chairwoman Katie Connolly advised that Morris (Builders Providers) Ltd, located on the Cork Road in Waterford city, issue a once‑off, tax‑free €600 voucher to each of its 80 retail employees. The court also urged both management and staff representatives to immediately engage on the practical rollout and operation of the new communication system.

The dispute dates back to October 2023, when the company sought to introduce two‑way radios across the store. Management initially proposed that participation would be voluntary, offering a €250 tax‑free voucher to staff who opted in, or €500 for employees with more than a decade of service.

However, the Unite trade union opposed the revised plan, arguing that the company’s move amounted to a unilateral change to established work practices. The union maintained that its members were not opposed to the technology itself but insisted that any cooperation must remain voluntary.

Unite also highlighted what it described as “significant health and safety concerns” regarding universal implementation of the system. It sought assurances that proper risk assessments would be carried out, particularly in relation to staff operating forklifts and other machinery. The union said members would consider participation if adequate safeguards and compensation were provided.

As part of its submission, Unite asked the Labour Court to recommend a more substantial compensation package: a €500 tax‑free voucher to be paid in both 2025 and 2026, along with two additional days of annual leave in each of those years.

The company countered that it already has an agreement with Unite allowing for the introduction of new technology. It said it had taken steps to address safety concerns, including hiring a health and safety consultant to develop a policy governing radio use, especially during machinery operation.

Morris Builders Providers told the court that Unite had agreed in principle to reintroducing the radios, but only at what the company described as a “significant and unjustified cost.”

The Labour Court’s recommendation now places the onus on both sides to finalise how the system will be implemented, with the €600 voucher intended to resolve the dispute and facilitate progress.

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