Jameson to compensate staff with €4,700 payment for any potential losses over profit share scheme 

Labour Court rejected submission from union the money be made available to new employees along with existing workers

This move follows a recommendation from the Labour Court. Picture: Aidan Crawley/Bloomberg

Workers at the maker of Jameson whiskey are set to receive an annual cash payment of €4,700 to compensate for any potential losses over changes to a company profit share scheme.

This follows a Labour Court recommendation endorsing the proposal by Irish Distillers Ltd to make the €4,700 cash payment to 250 workers at various grades as part of a dispute resolution between Irish Distillers and Connect trade union over the profit share, reward and benefits scheme.

In the recommendation, Labour Court deputy chairwoman Louise O’Donnell rejected a submission from Connect that the €4,700 be made available to new employees along with existing workers.

Ms O’Donnell said the €4,700 was to compensate existing staff for any potential losses that might arise from the change to the profit share scheme, “and therefore there is no basis for extending it to new employees who commence work after the date of this recommendation”.

The Labour Court recommendation also includes an annual health benefit allowance of €1,300, as agreed by a working group, and on holiday benefits, the minimum holiday entitlement to increase by three days from the date of joining and 27 days' holidays once 10 years’ service has been achieved, as agreed by the working group.

The deal also includes Christmas Eve as an additional company paid holiday, as agreed by the working group.