Labour Court recommends clear lay-off criteria after Wessel Cable dispute

The Labour Court did not recommend compensation for a worker who said she was laid off while non-union staff were given work during a five-day shutdown at Wessel Cable. The recommendation was dated 18 December 2003. The Court said there was not enough basis to conclude that union membership determined who was laid off. The company said the temporary lay-off was necessary and selection depended on whether work was essential. For a similar situation in future, the Court recommended that the company consult the union and set clear criteria for deciding which functions were essential.