Unions: Unite’s former Irish boss goes to the Labour Court

Senior union official to represent themselves as they take a discrimination claim against their own union, Unite. The official lost his case at the WRC and is now appealing that decision. 

The Key Points  Brendan Ogle, a prominent union official, is appealing to the Irish Labour Court after losing a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) discrimination claim against his union, Unite. Ogle argued that he was harassed and victimised upon returning to work after a period of cancer treatment, alleging his role was changed and diminished. The WRC adjudicator found Unite’s organisational change was unrelated to his illness. 

Ogle then appealed this decision to the Labour Court. Unite will be represented by a legal team. However, the Labour Court cannot award costs, so if Mr Ogle was represented by lawyers, even if he won, he would have to pay them himself. Like elsewhere, lawyers in Ireland do not come cheap.

Why This Matters  The shift by Unite from political to industrial focus also has broader implications for trade union strategy.  Ogle has long had a reputation within the Irish trade union movement of being something of a maverick. The Labour Court heard his appeal earlier this week. We will report on the outcome when available.