In 1987, the Labour Court did not recommend the unions’ claim to reduce the working week for about 6,000 psychiatric nurses from 40 to 35 hours. The recommendation was signed on 13 January 1987. The Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Federated Workers’ Union of Ireland argued that psychiatric nursing was demanding and that nurses’ hours were out of line with other public service workers. The Local Government Staff Negotiations Board said the change would require 800 additional nurses or substantial overtime spending, at a time of restrictive budgets. The Court did not recommend conceding the claim.