Trucker wins unfair dismissal case

A Dublin lorry driver has won his claim for unfair dismissal against a Co Wexford haulage company, and has been awarded euro 18,000 by the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

Philip Neill Hodgson of Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin told the tribunal that he had to ask a Garda to come with him so he could collect his personal belongings from his truck when he was let go.
Mr Hodgson took the case against Nolan Transport (Oaklands) Ltd., of New Ross. He told the tribunal he was involved in an "aggressive" row with his boss on June 16 2001 over working hours.

The tribunal heard that Mr Hodgson began working as a long-distance driver in 1998. After a day on the road he approached his employer to talk about handing in his notice. He said the reason he wanted to leave was because his work kept him away from home for long periods. He wanted to be based in Dublin.

He said his boss "refused to accept" that he was handing in his notice and told him to get out of the yard and threatened to hit him.
The tribunal held that he had been unfairly dismissed. The company was not represented at the tribunal.