Labour Court urges talks over Sterling Pharma workers’ lost profit-sharing access

The Labour Court recommended that Sterling Pharma Solutions Limited and SIPTU engage locally to resolve a dispute involving 180 general operatives who lost access to an Approved Profit-Sharing Scheme after the company acquired the Ringaskiddy business from Novartis in 2023. The company had grossed up annual bonus payments in 2023 and 2024 to compensate workers for the extra tax arising from the loss of access. The Court said there remained a considerable gap between the parties, partly because of an information deficit and lack of understanding on each side. The Court recommended that the parties could seek help from the WRC Conciliation Service and return to the Court if necessary. The recommendation was signed on 27 May 2025.