Former BCD Travel workers have called for greater Government action following a statement by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Burton, that he “greatly regrets” that the company has failed to adhere to a Labour Court recommendation in relation to redundancy payments owed to them. The workers, who began a second week of protests with a demonstration outside Kerry Group offices in Tralee today (Thursday 1st August), were made redundant in April. Following a Labour Court hearing they were awarded an additional two weeks per year of service redundancy payment. BCD Travel has refused to honour the Labour Court recommendation.In a response to an enquiry from one of the workers, Minister Bruton’s office replied on Wednesday, 31st July, that, “he greatly regrets that the company, having availed of the services of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court, has decided that it will not accept the Court's recommendation in relation to redundancy payments to the former BCD workers.” SIPTU Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin, said: “The seven women affected worked solely in the Kerry Group offices on a contract arranging corporate travel arrangements for that company. Despite this the management of Kerry Group has refused to request that its contractor respect workers rights and honour a ruling of the Labour Court.” She added: “The Kerry Group’s commitment to the local community and the concept of fair employment practices is being called into question by its approach to this issue. The women are clear in their resolve to maintain these protests until they are paid what they are owed.”Tomorrow (Friday, 2nd August), the workers will travel to Dublin to protest outside the head offices of BCD Travel in Northwood Court, Santry, Dublin 9.
Minister ‘regrets’ failure of BCD Travel to respect Labour Court recommendation
