Labour Court recommends WRC proposal in Odlums Portarlington/Valeo Foods dispute with union

The Labour Court recommended on 11 April 2018 that the Workplace Relations Commission proposal be accepted in full and final settlement of the dispute between Odlums Portarlington/Valeo Foods and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union. The union sought voluntary redundancy by seniority during a downturn, preferring it to lay-off or short-time working. The employer argued that flexible staffing could help the site recover lost business and avoid redundancies. The union had rejected two settlement proposals facilitated by the WRC. The Court questioned calling jobs redundant when workers would leave voluntarily with an ex-gratia payment and be replaced soon after. It also noted the company’s view that the site could sustain future employment, its investment there and the possibility of moving business to the site. The Court recommended acceptance of the WRC proposal dated 11 January 2018.