Mushroom pickers were today awarded over €300,000 after they were dismissed for being members of a trade union.
Siptu said the Employment Appeals Tribunal found in favour of 13 pickers from Lithuania and Latvia awarding them compensation of €26,000 each.
The pickers were found to have been dismissed for membership of a trade union, which the tribunal deemed unfair.
The awards made against a Northern-based businessman who was operating a mushroom farm in Co Cavan also related to minimum notice, annual leave and pay for public holidays.
Irene Donegan from Siptu's Cavan Branch said the women were left jobless last January after they stood up for their rights.
"The decision vindicates the right of every worker to join a trade union and sends a very clear message to employers that the justice system in this country will protect trade union members," she said.
"Hopefully the decision will mark the beginning of the end of the flagrant disregard for the rights of employees, particularly non-nationals, by rogue employers and it will provide inspiration and encouragement to all those vulnerable workers who are reluctant to speak out against exploitaive employers for fear of reprisal."
Ms Donegan said the women were delighted after the decision came through from the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
In a separate case, a Rights Commissioner has awarded four of the employees €9,000 as compensation for breaches of the transfer of undertakings legislation by their previous employer.
Two other cases against the same employer are pending with the Rights Commissioner service.
PA