The Labour Court has ruled that the Dublin Airport Authority (Daa) pay almost a thousand of its staff a lump sum equivalent to six months’ value of lost increments and pay progression. The decision comes after Fórsa and other unions sought the restoration of increments due to be paid in April 2020 and pay increase due in April 2021.

At the time, management made a unilateral decision not to make the payments without any consultations. It argued that its decision to stop increments and progression payments was “reasonable and proportionate” because of the impact Covid-19 on the industry.

But unions argued that the company had contractual obligations to make the payment and had entered into collective agreements that delivered significant savings for the company, which also received substantial financial State assistance through the employment subsidy scheme.

Fórsa assistant general secretary Lynn Coffey welcomed the Labour Court decision.

“There are procedures and structures put in place that allow for collective bargaining between the DAA and unions. These procedures and structures have been an imperative tool that has been utilised over the last couple of years, during the Covid-19 crisis, in protecting union members terms and conditions.

“The procedures need to be adhered to and organisations such as the DAA should be held accountable to any attempts to work outside of these agreed procedures and structures. The Labour Court rightly recognises this in the recommendation given,” she said.