localnews.ie

Courts / Cork / Report

Senior union officials wanted to do exit package 'deal' with Brendan Ogle, WRC hears

Date
2024-04-10
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Douglas
County
Cork

Summary

In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, a witness alleged that senior Unite officials sought to negotiate an exit package with Brendan Ogle to prevent his promotion to regional secretary for the Republic of Ireland. The witness claimed that Peter Hughes, Unite's Welsh secretary, suggested a deal after Ogle applied for the position, and that Ogle was told the role was no longer needed. Ogle had previously complained of being sidelined after returning from cancer treatment in 2022. He also alleged that the union's former chairman, Tony Woodhouse, was excluded from an interview panel due to a defamatory speech. The case was scheduled to proceed but the dates were vacated, and the witness noted that Ogle's concerns included losing a death-in-service policy worth five times his salary. The hearing focused on the alleged internal negotiations and Ogle's grievances.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Senior union officials wanted to do exit package 'deal' with Brendan Ogle, WRC hears. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: The complainant gave evidence earlier this year that he objected to the union's former chairman Tony Woodhouse sitting on the interview panel because of a speech made by Mr Wodehouse to a union conference two months earlier which Mr Ogle claims defamed him. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Journey Or Route

Topics

Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request