The Labour Court increased compensation for an anonymised RTÉ violinist from €7,500 to €13,500 in a decision signed on 22 July 2014. Radio Telef�S Éireann Trading As Rté employed the worker as a Tutti Violin II in the National Symphony Orchestra on a fixed-term contract. Her position ended 22 months into a two-year term. She sought a contract of indefinite duration or compensation for early termination after receiving written assurances that a further three-year contract would be offered subject to conditions.
SIPTU appealed the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation on her behalf. It said she had been reassured that her contract would be extended and had suffered financial loss. RTÉ said the contract had expired amid wider cost-cutting and staffing reductions. The Court found merit in the union’s claim and upheld the recommendation, but said the original compensation was not proportionate to the injury suffered. It increased the amount to €13,500 in full and final settlement.