Labour Court asks Department to clarify pandemic protection for Shannon staff

The Labour Court recommended that Shannon Commercial Properties, Shannon Group PLC ask the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to clarify whether pandemic policy protected 10 administrative staff from short-time working. The recommendation was dated 19 August 2021. The staff, represented by the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union, worked a three-day week between March and July or August 2020. The union sought reimbursement of their losses, arguing that public servants were protected from short-time working. The company said the pandemic forced it to take measures to protect cash and jobs, and that it received no state financial support for wages. The Court said it was not for it to interpret the government statement cited by the union. It recommended seeking clarification from the department, after which the parties should engage locally to resolve the dispute.