Labour Court changes recommendation in Waterford Carpets worker’s appeal

In 1997, the Labour Court amended a Rights Commissioner’s recommendation in an appeal by a worker represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union against Waterford Carpets Limited. The earlier recommendation said the claim should fail; the Labour Court instead recommended that the company seek to maximise the worker’s employment, subject to a satisfactory record, and give him sympathetic consideration if a permanent vacancy arose. The union argued that the worker’s earlier service should count towards seniority. The company said his return had been on a temporary contract and that permanent re-employment would mean another employee would have to leave. The Court signed its decision on 6 May 1997.