WRC recommends county council not concede worker’s grade-upgrade claim

The WRC recommended that a county council not concede a worker’s claim for an upgrade to a higher grade at a treatment plant. The recommendation was dated 16 May 2023 under section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969. The adjudicator found the worker competent to perform higher-grade duties but noted marked differences between his plant and comparator plants. The council cited the plant’s transition to Irish Water, the lack of suitable additional duties and the effect an upgrade could have on nine other employees. The adjudicator said an upgrade could prompt related claims and was not appropriate in the circumstances.