Labour Court rejects David O’ Connor’s overtime appeal against HSE Ambulance HQ

The Labour Court disallowed David O’ Connor’s appeal and affirmed a recommendation supporting HSE Ambulance HQ’s handling of an overtime shift. The decision was signed on 27 March 2013. O’ Connor, a Leading Ambulance Person represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, said he had put his name forward after rostered staff had reached their weekly hours, but the shift was cancelled and given to a non-rostered worker. HSE Ambulance HQ said overtime was allocated by a points system and that rosters could be changed to meet service needs. The Rights Commissioner had found that overtime was not a right and upheld the employer’s position; the Labour Court found that recommendation supported by the facts.