Labour Court calls for review of Dublin fire service pay-scale practices

The Labour Court recommended that trade union and employer representatives review whether fire service pay-scale practices comply with national or European law, then address an unnamed worker’s claim for credit for his UK fire-service experience. The recommendation was signed on 10 April 2012. Dublin City Council did not give the worker credit for his previous service with a UK public fire authority when setting his pay scale. He argued that the refusal denied his rights under European law. The Court said a claim to correct a practice that denies legal entitlements could not be rejected solely because it might increase costs. It recommended that the representatives identify any practices that conflict with the law and make appropriate changes, then resolve the worker’s complaint in that context.