Labour Court says Galway hospital head gardener’s regrading claim cannot proceed

The Labour Court said a head gardener’s regrading claim at Galway University Hospital could not proceed during the Public Service Agreement’s term. The recommendation was signed on 18 November 2011. The worker, represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, had sought regrading for several years. A Rights Commissioner recommended in 2005 that the matter be dealt with nationally and that the worker receive €3,000 while it was processed. The hospital said it could not decide a national regrading issue locally or fund a resolution. The Court found the claim would increase costs and was contrary to the agreement, so it could not be progressed at that time.