Research staff make case for equal pay

Ireland’s reputation for research excellence is under threat from unequal pay and conditions at one of the country’s leading technology research centres, protesting staff claimed yesterday.

Workers from Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork made their case in a letter to European commissioner for research, innovation and science Máire Geoghegan Quinn, who attended an innovation conference at University College Cork yesterday.

The staff say some are paid one-third less than counterparts working elsewhere in the university, but the Labour Court ruled a year ago it could not support their claim because the Croke Park agreement does not allow cost-increasing awards.