Labour Court recommends three weeks’ redundancy pay per service year at Donegal Healthcare

The Labour Court recommended that Donegal Healthcare offer two craftworkers three weeks’ pay per year of service, plus statutory terms, when their redundancies took effect. The recommendation was dated 20 February 2001. The Amalgamated Engineering And Electrical Union sought five weeks’ pay per service year, citing previous redundancy packages. The company said its changed financial position meant it could not afford an ex gratia payment. The Court said earlier payments had created an expectation of similar terms, but that the company’s changed ownership and finances had to be considered. It recommended that the parties review the company’s position after 12 months; if finances had improved sufficiently, an additional two weeks’ pay per service year should then be paid.