Labour Court raises earnings-loss compensation recommendation to £1,700

In 1991, the Labour Court increased compensation for a worker reassigned from driver/helper duties to general manual work at Coillte Teoranta. The Court signed its decision on 23 April 1991, recommending a lump sum of £1,700 for lost earnings and favourable consideration if a driving position arose. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union appealed on the worker’s behalf, arguing that his long service and reassignment had caused a major loss of earnings. Coillte said it had discontinued full-time truck helpers and disputed the claimed loss. The Rights Commissioner had recommended £1,500; the Labour Court set a higher amount after considering the parties’ submissions and the circumstances.