Ten porters at National Irish Bank should be paid £1,200 each as compensation for the loss of canteen facilities. The Labour Court has recommended the award following a decision by the bank to close the canteen at its College Green branch.
Staff could enjoy a subsidised four course lunch for £1.60 at College Green. In a nearby restaurant the same meal would be £6.50, or an extra £24.50 a week. The porters wanted on going compensation but the bank said this could encourage staff to seek pay increases and would breach the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
But the court recommendation was an improvement on the bank's original offer of £400.