The Workplace Relations Commission found Graham Coffey was unfairly dismissed because of his trade union activity and awarded him €8,000. In a decision dated 22 November 2023, it also directed Cullenbridge Services Limited Hollyfort Services to pay €585 for an unauthorised pay reduction and €1,601.16 over missing construction pension contributions and a related contravention.
Coffey said he had agreed to €25.50 an hour, but the company reduced his rate to €23 without his consent. The company said a payroll error had led to an overpayment and cited concerns about his fuel card use and trust. The adjudicator said the timing of a union email sent the day before the dismissal, alongside internal emails, linked the dismissal to Coffey seeking union help.
The WRC also found the lower rate had not been authorised under the Payment of Wages Act. The pension related payment included €1,101.16 in missing contributions and €500 compensation for the contravention. The three complaints covered unfair dismissal, the pay reduction and the construction sectoral employment order.