Many of those banking on bonanza millennium payments still don't know how much they will pocket for going to work while the rest of the world parties. However, a number of groups are already looking forward to a profitable New Year.
Workers in financial services are set to benefit most from any pay deals as companies ensure they are covered in case of fallout from the millennium bug. The Bank of Ireland has already agreed generous rates with its employees.
Those on call for the bank during December 31st to January 3rd will receive up to £500. A £950 payment has been agreed for those who work the "millennium shift" from 8 p.m. on December 31st to 8 a.m. on January 1st. In Britain some building societies are paying up to eight times normal hourly rates. Groups which have carved out deals with their employers include workers with Chubb Securiforce Ltd, who are to receive quadruple time over the period.
Those in the catering business look set to receive more moderate pay boosts. The Talbot Hotel and Great Southern Hotel in Wexford have agreed to pay treble time from noon on New Year's Eve to 3 p.m. on New Year's Day plus bonuses for those working after midnight. Most hotels are offering similar payments, with one in Dublin throwing in a bottle of champagne for each member of staff.
But with just over a month to go, many claims are no nearer agreement. The largest of these is by doctors, nurses, paramedics and health service workers who are claiming £100 per hour for providing cover on New Year's Eve.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Finance confirmed that hospital management representatives, the Health Services Employment Agency and Department officials are to engage in talks with the various unions at the Labour Relations Commission on Thursday. "We will be opposing the claims," she said.
A spokesman for SIPTU said that if there were a successful outcome to these talks the pay rates agreed were likely to be passed on to other public service workers such as firefighters, gardai and air-traffic controllers.
Similar uncertainty is found in other countries where millennium payments are still under negotiation. In the north-east of England, hospital staff are being urged not to volunteer to work over the millennium. The health service trade union, Unison, claims it has failed to reach agreement with NHS trusts on extra payments for working December 31st and January 1st.
They have only been offered a once-off payment of £150 for working the controversial shift and £75 for being on call. The offer is "insultingly low", according to Unison, but management seems unlikely to back down.
Other claims at home include those from the Taxi Drivers' Federation which is looking for double fare for the first 12 hours of New Year's Eve and treble fare until 8 a.m. on January 1st. The claim has already been turned down by Dublin Corporation's consultative group, but this decision could be overruled.
A spokesman said that if rates were not agreed it was unlikely that taxi-drivers would turn out for work on New Year's Eve, leaving revellers in the lurch.
The potential lack of drivers was the main motivation for the British government acceptance of London taxi-driver demands. Consumers will have to pay double the normal fares for taxis on New Year's Eve.
