ERO Aerated Waters and Wholesale Bottling

Application

This ERO applies to all employees in the Aerated Waters and Wholesale Bottling trade in roles ranging from the manufacture of certain alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to bottle-washing, bottling, filling and preparatory work for the sale of such beverage-containers. It does not apply to employees affected by any REA. See ERO for detailed definitions of all categories covered.

Remuneration 

Minimum Pay

Rates of minimum pay vary depending on whether an employee is over 18 years of age. Full details relating to statutory minimum rates of pay are set out in the ERO.

Overtime Rates

All employees are entitled to be paid overtime for hours in excess of 39 hours per week at a rate of time-and-a-half. This applies except insofar as all time worked on Sundays and on customary or statutory holidays and for all time worked in excess of four hours on a customary day off, where a double-time rate is payable.

Conditions of Employment

Working hours

The normal number of working hours is 39 hours per week. The working week is calculated over five days. The off-days will be taken on the normal local short day, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the employer and the worker. This is also conditional on all hours worked by a worker on the weekly off-day, Sundays, customary and statutory holidays being regarded as overtime too.  In relation to workers under the age of 18, the provisions of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 shall apply.

Rest Periods

All employees are entitled to rest periods in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.  In relation to workers under the age of 18, the provisions of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 shall apply.

Holidays

Annual leave and public holiday entitlements are in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Sick Pay Scheme

All workers are entitled to benefit under a contributory Sick Pay Scheme after a minimum of one year’s service with their current employer. Qualifying workers are entitled to a maximum of 15 weeks’ benefit in any calendar year for a medically certified illness. This entitles workers to a payment of €32.00 per week, subject to the sum of all benefits, i.e. both State and company benefits, not exceeding the individual's personal basic rate of pay, during absences due to illness.  For part-time employees, the benefit shall be applied on a pro-rata basis.  There is no entitlement to be paid before three days.

To benefit from the scheme employees must contribute a maximum weekly payment of €0.30 which may be deducted at source (for part-time employees, deductions will be made on a pro-rata basis). Employers will pay twice the employees’ contribution or as appropriate as shall guarantee the benefit.

Employees must produce a certificate signed by a medical practitioner by the third day of any absence, specifying the nature of the illness. Where sick leave extends beyond the period initially certified, further certification will be required. Employees must ensure that the employer is informed of their absence before normal starting time on the first day of absence.

Miscellaneous

The ERO also provides for special conditions in relation to service pay entitlements, dismissal procedures, death-in-service benefit, entitlements and a pension scheme. All employees with three years’ continuous service, aged between 25 and 55 years of age qualify for membership of the pension scheme. See ERO for more details.