The Labour Court recommended that Europlex Technologies and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union postpone discussions on a pay claim until 1 March 2002. The recommendation was signed on 16 August 2001. If the parties did not reach agreement, the matter could return to the Court. The union sought higher pay for 100 hourly-paid workers, saying rates lagged behind those in comparable private-sector jobs. Europlex Technologies said its overall pay package was in line with the industry and that it faced financial and competitive difficulties.