Labour Court rejects Enterprise Ireland relocation payment claim

The Labour Court did not recommend a payment sought by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union for workers moved from Sandymount to Glasnevin. It recommended that the union accept Enterprise Ireland’s offer to consider individual hardship cases. The recommendation was signed on 26 September 2003. After a 2001 restructuring, finance staff moved between the two locations. The agency provided two days’ leave, a social function, €126 payments to finance staff and a shuttle bus. The union initially sought terms comparable to another public sector agreement, then claimed €6,318 per worker based on mileage and toll costs over 18 months. The Court said the claim was not based on any particular inconvenience or expense and found that a Department of Finance circular precluded the type of compensation sought. It recommended that workers with genuine hardship be considered individually under the agency’s offer.