Longer week for some council staff

Staff in local authorities who work less than 34 hours per week are to have their working week extended under a recommendation issued by the Labour Court today.

The court has found that staff who work less than 34 hours per week should be brought up to that level.

Trade union Impact said the binding ruling would result in a longer working week for approximately 5,000 staff.

Up to now there has been a wide variation on the hours of work for staff in different local authorities across the country with the working week ranging from 32 hours 55 minutes in some areas to 35 hours in others.

Local authority managers had sought to introduce a standardised working week across the country.

However, unions had contended there was no specific provision in the Croke Park agreement to increase the hours of staff in local authorities.

In its recommendation the Labour Court found a 35-hour week should be retained for all personnel where this currently applies.

It also says the current working hours of all full- time staff who currently work more than 34 hours and less than 35 hours should be maintained.

However, it says the working week of all other full-time staff who currently work less than 34 hours should be brought up to this level.

The Labour Court has also recommended a standard 35-hour week for all newly recruited or newly promoted staff in local authorities.