Labour Court dismisses Joe English’s appeal against ESB

The Labour Court dismissed Joe English’s appeal against a finding that his complaint against ESB under the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 was not well founded. Its determination was dated 28 August 2006. English worked as a seasonal fitter for ESB from 1981 to 2004. He said he was treated less favourably than comparable full-time fitters. The Court found that he knowingly signed a full-and-final discharge settling any claims under the Act, with his union involved and no evidence he misunderstood the agreement. The merits were not decided: the Court did not determine whether English was a part-time worker or whether his complaint was in time.