Labour Court recommends arbitration of Cork City Partnership worker’s grievance

The Labour Court recommended that a Cork City Partnership Limited worker’s grievance be referred to binding arbitration by an independent person, with the company meeting the investigation costs. The worker, represented by Edmund Smith, had challenged the company’s handling of her grievance after FÁS ended funding for the Sunbeam Job Club in December 2004. She said the decision left implied criticism of her professional reputation unchallenged. Cork City Partnership said ending the funding was justified by a FÁS review and had not harmed her career prospects or earning potential. The recommendation was signed on 12 May 2009. The worker had already succeeded in an internal grievance appeal and received its maximum award.