Labour Court rejects Unite’s claim for lost Waterford Airport hours

The Labour Court rejected Unite’s claim for reimbursement after Waterford Airport reduced rostered hours, and recommended that the parties agree a written protocol for handling similar situations. The recommendation was signed on 16 June 2017. Unite said the airport cut members’ hours from 39 to 21 and sought reimbursement for hours lost between 10 and 20 July 2016. Waterford Airport said temporary reduced-hour rosters were needed after its only commercial airline cancelled services, to maintain Coastguard cover and avoid redundancies. The Court noted the airport’s precarious finances after the airline’s departure and said the temporary hours were introduced in the interests of the business and employees. Unite’s claim failed; the Court recommended that Waterford Airport and Unite agree a formal protocol in writing.