Labour Court declines claims over permanent appointments and workers’ status

The Labour Court did not recommend conceding either of two claims by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union against Idv Operations (Ireland) Limited, involving six permanent appointments and compensation for two workers’ loss of position and status. The recommendation, signed on 11 February 1998, said the company had acted in line with its agreements with the union in selecting six permanent production workers. The Court also recommended the parties meet to agree a more transparent selection method. The two palletiser operators had been redeployed as general operatives when their machines were integrated into bottling lines, with their earnings and benefits maintained. The Court said red-circling had protected their status and found no basis to recommend compensation.