In 1988, the Labour Court did not recommend that Irish Rail appoint another supervisor in its plate fabrication shop. The recommendation was signed on 14 July 1988 after the General Municipal Boilermakers & Allied Trades Union sought implementation of an agreement on promotion to assistant foreman. The union said a temporary assistant foreman had served for more than 14 months under an agreement reached in 1987. Irish Rail cited falling demand, a planned workshop closure, budget limits and existing supervisors. The Court pointed to the general rundown of work and the presence of supervisors of the same grade.