Labour Court upholds €1,500 recommendation after union withdraws appeal

The Labour Court left a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation in place after Services Industrial Professional Technical Union withdrew its appeal on behalf of a warehouse operative at Protim Abrasives. The recommendation included €1,500 compensation and a higher basic rate, with the worker to return the company vehicle. The dispute arose after the worker’s duties shifted from warehouse work, deliveries and merchandising to almost entirely warehouse work, and his pay lost parity with comparable staff at the Dublin depot. The company offered a higher basic rate if he returned the vehicle, which he wanted to keep using privately. Protim Abrasives told the Labour Court its Cork depot was due to close and it could not afford the compensation. The union withdrew its appeal after considering the company’s position, and the recommendation therefore stood. The Labour Court decision was signed on 2 July 2009.