In 1994, the Labour Court said there was merit in the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union's claim for higher basic pay at Custom Foods Limited but recommended against pursuing it at that time under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. The recommendation was signed on 16 December 1994. The union sought a substantial increase for workers earning £144 a week. Custom Foods had offered a 2% rise from 1 April 1994 under the programme; the union rejected that offer. The company argued the claim would breach the programme and cited its competitive costs.