Labour Court affirms Aer Lingus recommendation with added protections

The Labour Court affirmed a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation for a cabin crew worker represented by the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union, adding protections for financial losses linked to sick leave and attending meetings or hearings. The decision was signed on 14 June 2010. The worker was suspended on full pay after US Customs and Border Protection officers raised concerns about declarations and duty-free goods on a flight to Boston. Aer Lingus lifted the suspension after an investigation and did not hold a disciplinary hearing. The Court said there was no basis to attribute wrongdoing to the crew and called the company’s response unreasonable. The original recommendation included clearance in writing, removal of references to the incident from the worker’s personnel file, no effect on career prospects, restoration of lost credits and four weeks’ additional paid leave. Aer Lingus agreed that the leave could be converted to cash if workers preferred.