Labour Court upholds €5,000 recommendation after Bishopstown Credit Union appeal fails

The Labour Court upheld a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation that Bishopstown Credit Union pay a worker €5,000, disallowing the Credit Union’s appeal in a decision signed on 24 May 2010. The dispute concerned whether the worker had been promised a defined benefit pension or was in a defined contribution scheme with a target benefit. He argued the Credit Union changed his pension without proper consultation or consent. The Credit Union said the scheme had been revised to a defined contribution plan and that it would continue funding it as far as practicable. The Court accepted the Credit Union’s assurance that it would continue funding the scheme and said its integration with social welfare was in line with general practice. It found the recommended once-off payment reasonable and said it should be implemented.