Labour Court rejects worker’s salary-scale appeal against University College Cork (UCC)

The Labour Court disallowed a worker’s appeal over her salary scale at University College Cork (UCC), affirming the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation. The decision was signed on 8 July 2015. The worker, represented by INMO, sought retrospective placement on a different scale after returning to public service as a registered general nurse. INMO argued her previous work as a dental nurse should count towards her pay. UCC said the roles were not analogous and she had been correctly treated as a new entrant. The Court found substantial differences in the roles’ duties, qualifications and salaries, so they could not be treated as analogous under the applicable Department of Finance circular. The circular applied a 10% reduction in pay rates to entry grades in the public service. It said the union’s claim could not succeed.