Labour Court rejects union appeal over Aer Lingus worker’s sanctions

The Labour Court rejected the union’s appeal and upheld the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation in a dispute over sanctions imposed on an Aer Lingus aircraft cleaning worker. The decision was dated 27 November 1995. The worker had been dismissed, but the dismissal was replaced by demotion, removal from night shifts and a two-month unpaid suspension. The recommendation provided for a review of the demotion and an end to the suspension. The union cited £3,200 in suspension losses and ongoing losses from the demotion; Aer Lingus argued that the worker had failed in his supervisory duties and breached company rules by drinking alcohol.