Labour Court seeks overtime records before considering council workers’ claim

The Labour Court asked Clare County Council and the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union to establish how overtime was allocated before the Court considered a claim for lost earnings at the Motor Taxation Office and for two data checkers. The recommendation was signed on 14 November 2011. The union said the overtime was regular and rostered and sought compensation. The council said it had tried to replace paid overtime with time off in lieu and disputed that the work was rostered. The Court accepted that the overtime was regular but noted disagreement over whether it was rostered. It recommended direct discussions to establish how staff were assigned, whether they could decline overtime and management’s role in staffing, followed by an early hearing if the matter was referred back.