Labour Court upholds €7,000 recommendation for Mercury Engineering worker

The Labour Court upheld a recommendation that Mercury Engineering restore a worker’s foreman rate and pay €7,000 for losses after demoting him to electrician. The decision was dated 8 July 2005. Mercury Engineering appealed, saying a business downturn had led it to regrade foremen and chargehands, with about 50 losing their premiums. The union argued the worker was demoted unilaterally and had no opportunity to challenge the decision. His hourly rate fell by €3.61. The Court cited the unique circumstances of the case in upholding the recommendation.