Labour Court varies recommendation in Dublin City Council dispute over false letter

The Labour Court varied a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation in a dispute between Dublin City Council and a worker represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The decision was dated 27 July 2011. The worker, a bin lorry driver with 37 years’ service, said the Council had not adequately dealt with a complaint letter sent in his name. The Council accepted that he had not written it and said it had tried to identify the sender. The Rights Commissioner had found against the worker’s claim and recommended that he consider a transfer to another depot. The Labour Court agreed with the Rights Commissioner’s conclusions but noted that the Council’s earlier redeployment offer was no longer available. It recommended meaningful discussions about alternative employment and said the worker should carefully consider any available position’s pay and terms and conditions.