Irish Rail staff to hold one-day strike on August 25th

Siptu workers at Iarnród Éireann are to stage a one day strike next month following the rail company’s decision to implement cost saving measures.

The strike action will take place on August 25th.

Iarnród Éireann last week said it would implement cost saving measures which involve a temporary reduction in basic pay ranging from 1.7 per cent for staff earning €56,000 or less (74 per cent of the workforce) up to 6.1 per cent for those earning over €100,000.

The measures, which were rejected by trade unions Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union, are to come into effect on Sunday August 24th.

Siptu workers at Irish Rail will begin a continuous work to rule, including and overtime and rest day working ban, from August 24th.

Further work stoppages have also not been ruled out.

Siptu utilities and construction organiser Owen Reidy said: “Our members have on four occasions rejected proposals that have included further pay cuts. However, the management of Irish Rail has threatened to implement reductions in workers’ pay from 24th August.

He added: “Siptu does not have a mandate from its members to engage in any further negotiations with the management of Irish Rail which include any pay reductions. However, we are available at anytime to discuss with management other forms of cost saving proposals which could be implemented at the company.”

The NBRU is due to ballot its members on industrial action, the results of which will be known next Friday.