Courts / Wicklow / Report

Film producers 'morally bankrupt' and tried to 'fleece' workers, union alleges

Summary

A trade union representing film workers has accused top producers Morgan O'Sullivan and the late James Flynn of systematically breaching employment law and attempting to 'fleece' workers of their wages. The Irish Film Workers' Association (IFWA) claims that its campaign against 'systematic blacklisting' in the Irish film industry led to 39 members losing jobs with Metropolitan Film Productions Ltd and World 2000 Entertainment Ltd, where O'Sullivan and Flynn were principal directors. The companies argue that designated activity companies and special-purpose vehicles set up for tax relief on film and TV productions in Ireland were not a circumvention of employment rights. IFWA representatives claim that a collective agreement was signed in 2015, which included a 12.5% pay cut and a waiver of travel allowances, but the companies unilaterally withdrew from the deal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Film producers 'morally bankrupt' and tried to 'fleece' workers, union alleges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 2018 Incident
• 15 June 2018 Other
• November 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-05-15 Publication

Why: "It was very prophetic, because that's exactly what happened," Ms Murray said. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report