Monica Lyons has worked at the Ballygireen radio station since 1985. In all that time she was never allowed to sign herself in or out of work. That was done for her by one of the radio officers who "supervised" her work.
A mother with four children, Monica was not even able to apply for promotion for a supervisory post, because these were in effect reserved for radio officers transferred from other duties. One of the first things Monica will do, if the Department for Public Enterprise and the Irish Aviation Authority accept the Labour Court ruling, is to apply for a job as an aviation officer grade II.
It will not make any difference to her financially as she has already won a £9,500 increase, which gives her equal pay with radio officers on £27,000 a year. But it will mean a promotion.
Like her three colleagues, Anne McCarthy, Catherine Campbell and Mary Doohan, she was a bit dazzled by the CPSU champagne reception to celebrate their awards in Dublin yesterday. They felt like Lotto winners and found it hard to adjust to celebrity status.
"I feel terrific. We put so many years in and had to put up with a lot of hassle," Monica said. There were offensive cartoons on the notice-board and she was left sitting without work at a desk for six months after having the temerity to take an equal pay case. "But we pulled together. It was hard for us."
The £100,000 in back pay will shrink to less than £50,000 after tax and PRSI are deducted. Monica isn't counting on it, however, until she sees if the Department or the aviation authority appeals the ruling. Her only definite plan so far is "to buy a big car".
There is a new and better atmosphere in the office now, she says.