Labour Court rejects union appeal over Western Health Board worker’s £30 weekly claim

The Labour Court rejected the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s appeal over a worker’s claim for a £30 weekly increase from the Western Health Board. In a decision dated 6 February 2001, it upheld the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation that the worker accept the Board’s position. The union said the worker had taken on extra duties without additional pay, and that his workload increased after supplies services were centralised at Ballinasloe. It also cited his 44 years of service. The Board argued he earned more than its other drivers, received overtime and subsistence, and that his duties changed through reallocation rather than added responsibility.