Labour Court rejects both appeals over short-time working at I.S. Varian

In 1989, the Labour Court rejected appeals by I.S. Varian Limited and the Federated Workers' Union Of Ireland, upholding a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation on short-time working for four workers. The decision was signed on 10 October 1989. The recommendation allowed up to 10 weeks of short-time working, wrote off outstanding loans from the previous period and provided a £75 ex gratia payment and a £100 repayable loan to each affected worker. The Court added that the parties should begin discussions in January 1990 on ways to avoid future short-time working. The union opposed short-time working and sought to protect take-home pay. The company said the measure was needed to address seasonal business pressures and protect jobs.