Labour Court recommends talks on pension rights for redeployed hospital workers

In 1991, the Labour Court recommended wider discussions on preserving pension rights for four former boilermen redeployed at Waterford Regional Hospital. Their shift and weekend premium earnings had counted towards pension calculations, but the move to general operative jobs ended access to those payments and reduced their anticipated pension entitlements. The recommendation was signed on 22 May 1991. The South Eastern Health Board said national superannuation rules prevented it from counting the premium earnings or refunding contributions. The union sought compensation for the loss. The Court recommended that the parties discuss the issue within the overall pension scheme, with a view to preserving accrued pension rights. The parties were the South Eastern Health Board and the Amalgamated Transport And General Workers Union.