In 1989, the Labour Court recommended that Aer Lingus pay the old rates to catering workers taken on for the 1988 season before 1 April. The recommendation, concerning a claim on behalf of 18 workers brought by the Irish Transport And General Workers Union, was signed on 16 November 1989. The Court said previous seasonal employment was not a reason to depart from the agreed rates for later seasons, but the new rates took effect from 1 April 1988. Aer Lingus said the workers had been seasonal employees and accepted the new rates when they became permanent.