In 1987, the Labour Court recommended flexibility in day and night porter duties at Barrington’s Hospital for staff appointed since 1984. The recommendation was signed on 3 July 1987. The hospital and the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union disputed transfers between day and night work. The union said transfers should be voluntary and could disrupt established routines and earnings. The hospital said contracts for staff appointed since 1984 allowed rotation and it needed to meet service demands. The Court recommended that management set priorities for portering jobs and use rotation to cover absences within those priorities. It noted the hospital’s undertaking that flexibility would not mean continuous day and night rotation.