Ballydoyle stands down legal challenge to WRC
Ballydoyle Stables has discontinued its appeal against working time compliance orders issued by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), according to a report in the latest issue of The Irish Field.
However, the wait for legal recognition of the racing industry’s desire for flexibility around working conditions is set to continue, the news report says.
An WRC inspection found that Ballydoyle, home of Galileo and Mohawk, was in breach of the Working Time Act as some employees were working longer hours than those allowed under the law.
The stables contested the compliance order on the basis that their business was ‘agricultural’ and certain exemptions should apply. However, the Labour Court ruled against Ballydoyle in September.
Rostering leeway
Meanwhile, the racing industry has been lobbying for a statutory instrument that will give leeway in rostering decisions, given the nature of its business.