Labour Court upholds decision rejecting paid tea-break claim for five cleaners

The Labour Court upheld a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation rejecting the Federated Workers Union of Ireland’s claim for a paid tea-break for five cleaners employed by Noonan Cleaning Ltd at the Mater Hospital. The decision was signed on 12 December 1986. The union argued that the workers had previously received paid breaks and that management had extended their hours. Noonan Cleaning Ltd said the contract made no provision for paid breaks and it could not recover the cost from its client.