The Labour Court recommended that Dublin Institute Of Technology accede to the Teachers Union Of Ireland’s claim on behalf of two employees excluded from interviews for promotion to Lecturer (Structured) posts in the printing area. The recommendation was signed on 29 September 2003.
The employees had previously interviewed for the posts. When the positions were readvertised, management said they were ineligible because they lacked postgraduate qualifications. The union argued that Lecturer (Structured) was a separate grade and that trade qualifications were normally relevant to senior posts in the trades area.
The Institute said postgraduate qualifications were needed to maintain academic standards. The Court found that the agreements allowed for exceptions and that requiring a postgraduate degree would significantly change established advancement opportunities for trade teachers. It recommended that the employees be allowed to compete for the posts.