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2006

Mushroom pickers victimised for trade union membership win €342,600 EAT awards

Date Released: 31 Oct 2006

Cases won by SIPTU against mushroom farmer, Mr. Eamonn Murray, for non-compliance with employment law, have so far resulted in awards totaling 342,600.

In the latest development, the Employment Appeals Tribunal has found in favour of thirteen mushroom pickers under various employment laws.   They were all found to have been dismissed for “mere membership of a trade union”, a situation which the Tribunal described as “flagrantly unfair” and were awarded compensation of €26,000 each.   The other awards related to minimum notice, annual leave and pay for public holidays.

In a separate case, a Rights Commissioner has awarded four of the employees, who worked for a previous employer, €9,000 as compensation for breaches of the Transfer of Undertakings legislation.

Two other cases against the same employer are pending with the Rights Commissioner service.

Irene Donegan, Assistant Organiser of SIPTU’s Cavan Branch, said she was delighted with the outcome.   As a result of their decision to stand up for their rights and organise into a trade union these heroic women were left jobless and homeless last January and it has been a very difficult time for them since then.

“The decision vindicates the right of every worker to join a trade union and sends a very clear message to employers that the justice system in this country will protect trade union members”, Ms. Donegan said.

“Hopefully the decision will mark the beginning of the end of the flagrant disreqard for the rights of employees, particularly non-nationals, by rogue employers and it will provide inspiration and encouragement to all those vulnerable workers who are reluctant to speak out against exploitative employers for fear of reprisal”.





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