Labour Court recommends £10,000 settlement payment for each reassigned ambulance controller

The Labour Court recommended that ambulance controllers who accepted reassignment to Grade IV posts within the East Coast Area Health Board receive compensation for lost overtime under the Board’s formula, subject to a minimum of £10,000 and no upper limit. Each reassigned worker would also receive a separate £10,000 payment in full and final settlement of other claims linked to the reassignment. The Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union had sought terms after controllers were moved from St James’ Hospital to Townsend Street. The Court said the control-centre posts could not be regraded; workers could reach Grade IV only by accepting reassignment. Those who stayed at Townsend Street would be covered by terms proposed by the Director of Conciliation. The recommendation was dated 15 November 2001.