University staff take legal action

Two employees of two Dublin universities yesterday secured leave from the High Court to seek orders against their employers, …

Two employees of two Dublin universities yesterday secured leave from the High Court to seek orders against their employers, arising from the circumstances of their employment, next Monday.

Mr Roderick Horan was given permission by Mr Justice McCracken to seek relief on behalf of Ms Carmel Carr, a secretary in the librarian's office in Trinity College, and Ms Clara Curran, a sub-librarian in Dublin City University.

Ms Carr alleges that she has been bullied by a co-employee almost daily. She claims she has been absent from work on medical advice since April 1999. In stopping her sick pay, as indicated by letter on May 26th, TCD acted in breach of contract, she contends.

Ms Curran claims that since 1996 DCU has reduced her areas of responsibility. She contends that, after restructuring late last year, her job became a "shell". A recent advertisement in the press for a sub-librarian included the duties already carried out by her, she said.