Labour Court rejects union claim for subsistence allowances for Cork County Council workers

The Labour Court did not recommend in favour of the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union’s claim that Cork County Council outdoor workers receive subsistence allowances under Revenue-approved rates. The union said workers should qualify when away from base for at least five hours and more than 8km. The council cited existing meal and eating-on-site allowances and the applicable local authority rules. The Court said the allowances appeared to be correctly applied under the circulars and Revenue guidelines, and directed individual employees with concerns about their circumstances to the Department’s Local Government Personnel Section. The recommendation was signed on 23 September 2015.