January 21st: The dispute between Unite and Galway-based construction company JJ Rhatigan & Co has been referred back to the Labour Court for a recommendation after the conclusion of a Construction Industry Dispute Tribunal and conciliation process yesterday afternoon without a resolution.

The Labour Court will hear the case this coming Friday (23 January) starting at 10 am.

The dispute, which has been running since 19 September 2014, centres on the company’s use of a complex web of sub-contracting which has forced workers into bogus self-employment earning less than €5 per hour.