The Labour Court recommended that Dunnes Stores Athlone meet Mandate to discuss a claim by 13 staff to reduce their working week from 39 to 37.5 hours, with a corresponding pay reduction. The recommendation was signed on 12 July 2005. Mandate also said the company had not followed an agreement for resolving staff and management problems. Dunnes Stores Athlone did not attend the hearing or give the Court its position on the substantive issue. The Court recommended that the company give the working-hours claim fair consideration.