The Supreme Court upheld a ruling on Tuesday in favour of four concrete mixer drivers, rejecting a construction company’s appeal over their dismissal on redundancy grounds.

The case dates back to 2011, when the employees were made redundant.

They challenged the decision, arguing the company’s claim of reduced workload was not genuine and that their dismissal was unjustified.

In a unanimous decision, the court found the employer failed to prove real redundancy conditions.

New staff were hired for similar roles before the dismissals, weakening the company’s downsizing argument.

The judgment emphasised that the employer must provide proof, stating that vague claims of financial issues or restructuring lack sufficient evidence.

The court deemed the company’s claims of modernisation and reduced work inadequately supported.

The company’s appeal was fully dismissed, affirming the previous ruling for the four drivers.

Compensation awarded by the court of first instance remains in force, with amounts set individually based on each worker’s employment record.

The court also upheld legal costs for the employees, ending the lengthy dispute.