Labour Court recommends Clare County Council and SIPTU resolve library appointment dispute

The Labour Court recommended that Clare County Council and SIPTU regard a dispute over a worker’s appointment to a library post in Ennis as resolved, with no further action. The recommendation was dated 23 April 2024. The worker, represented by SIPTU, sought appointment to a Library Facilities Attendant post while retaining on-call duties with the Retained Fire Service. The council said the duties could not be combined because of health and safety and security concerns. The Court said it was not for it to second guess the employer on those matters in an industrial relations dispute. The worker was not on the appointment panel, and neither party could explain how he could be appointed ahead of someone who was. The Court found no practical means to achieve his aim. No financial loss or improper handling of the panel process was alleged.