Labour Court rejects union compensation claim over Bord Na Mona short-time working

The Labour Court recommended against compensation for Bord Na Mona workers after finding no breach of procedures in the 2015 introduction of short-time working at its briquette factories and coal depots. The recommendation was signed on 8 March 2016. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union said the company had not engaged with depot workers about alternatives to short-time working or lay-off and sought compensation for lost earnings. Bord Na Mona said employees had been informed about redeployment, short-time and lay-off plans, and that such days were unpaid. The Court found that employees had been consulted in the customary way and that a survey, redeployment options and alternative arrangements helped mitigate losses. It found no breach of procedures and no basis for compensation.