BY STEPHANIE LORD

Third-level college cuts ahead?

HUNDREDS of jobs in the third-level education sector are at risk as drastic plans are being drafted by the Higher Education Authority to merge many courses and amalgamate college and university departments in order to save money.
The plans are said to include a  voluntary redundancy scheme and a massive reduction in the amount of courses offered and places on those courses, particularly engineering.
Arts courses are also likely to be affected.

Plasterers get compensation for unfair dismissal

OVER €360,000 in compensation has been awarded by an employment tribunal to a group of eight plasterers unfairly dismissed by a property development company.
The plasterers had been made redundant by Park Developments in early 2008. The Employment Appeals Tribunal stated that the company laid off the workers even though there was still continued demand for plastering work after they had left the company but which was passed on to a sub-contractor.
Some of the workers had given up to 20 years’ service and the tribunal said that Park Developments’ decision to make the workers redundant had not been fair in all the circumstances. It ruled that the company “went for the easier option without having regard to the service it had received” from the eight men.
The sums awarded to the men ranged from €34,000 to €58,000.

Dublin Bus management amends lay-off plans

AFTER substantial talks between SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), the Dublin Bus unions have welcomed news that the company has amended its cost-cutting proposals to ensure that there will be no compulsory lay-offs.
The proposals were agreed at the Labour Relations Commission, including assurances that all drivers will be guaranteed at least five days’ work per week.