Labour Court rejects Dublin City Council worker’s appeal over transfer vacancy

The Labour Court rejected a worker’s appeal over a Dublin City Council transfer vacancy, finding that cleaners were not eligible to apply for posts within the General Operative grade. The decision was signed on 5 October 2015. The worker, a part-time cleaner, applied for a vacancy in the Water Services and Drainage Division. The union argued that he was a General Operative because he was paid at that grade’s rate. The council said the vacancy was for General Operatives and the worker was employed as a cleaner. The Court found that cleaners and General Operatives had similar pay and conditions but were separate grades, and there was no collective agreement allowing transfers between them. It did not uphold the union’s claim.