Agri staff demand dispute back pay

HUNDREDS of Department of Agriculture and Food staff, who were taken off the payroll during a 13-week dispute in 2003, are demanding the full repayment of the money they say they are due.

The Civil Public and Services Union said the 250 staff, who work in regional offices in the south and west of the country, are owed an estimated €1.5 million in wages and pension entitlements.

Department offices in Castlebar, Galway, Limerick, Tralee and Clonakilty were affected by the dispute over a claim for the delivery of what the union described as a commitment to additional promotional posts arising from the foot and mouth crisis.

Workers at Clonakilty took a High Court case, challenging the department’s action in halting their wages during the dispute and secured a ruling that it was null and void with no force and effect.

The departments of Agriculture and Food and Finance subsequently appealed that decision to the Supreme Court which upheld the High Court judgment.

CPSU said the departments have no option but to pay given the clear ruling by the Supreme Court that they acted outside their legal powers in removing the union members in Clonakilty from the payroll.

The union’s financial secretary Eoin Ronayne welcomed the Supreme Court outcome on the appeal and the awarding of costs to the union members.

“We are happy that this matter has been clarified in our favour and we anticipate a speedy restoration of pay and pension service for the 250 so people involved,” he said.

A spokesman for the Department of Agriculture and Food said it was aware of media reports of statements attributed to the CPSU. It had not, however, received any formal approach from the union in the matter since the Supreme Court judgment was delivered.

“The department will await the approach from the union before progressing this matter,” he said.