Labour Court recommends seasonal status for 19 City of Dublin VEC workers

The Labour Court recommended that 19 City of Dublin VEC general operatives be classified as temporary part-time or seasonal employees, rather than fixed-term workers, in a recommendation dated 17 September 2010. The workers were employed during the academic year, laid off in July and August, and expected to return in September. The Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union argued they were seasonal or sessional workers, while City of Dublin VEC said they were fixed-term employees whose contracts could not be renewed under the public-service moratorium. The Court found the workers’ employment continued during the summer lay-off and that they met the VEC’s fixed and permanent needs. It recommended classifying them as temporary part-time or seasonal employees.