The Labour Court recommended that Boc Gases Ireland Limited invite the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s views when staff vacancies arise, and take them into account as far as possible while maintaining the business’s viability. The recommendation was signed on 8 September 2011. The union argued that existing agreements required consultation over staffing levels and that management should not decide vacancies alone. BOC Gases said staffing had to reflect business needs and that management should retain the final decision on whether and how to fill a vacancy. If the union disagreed with a decision, it could refer the dispute through normal industrial relations procedures; management could proceed with its judgement in the meantime.