Labour Court to rule on continuation of Iarnród Éireann pay cuts

The Labour Court is expected to determine whether temporary pay cuts in place since 2014 for staff at Iarnród Éireann should cease earlier than originaly envisaged.

Talks on a pay increases for rail staff are also scheduled to take place now at local level between unions and management.

Unions representing staff at the State owned rail company had sought for the cuts, ranging from 1.7 per cent to about 6 per cent, to be terminated immediately.

The temporary pay reductions were introduced in September 2014 to deal with financial dificulties at the company and scheduled to remain in place until October.

Management at the company had opposed any early termination of the pay cuts.

The issues of the pay cuts, claims for increases and a row over the training of new Dart drivers formed part of talks which took place at the Workplace Relations Commission on Wednesday.

There was no agreement reached between the parties on ending the pay cuts dispute and under a proposal drawn up by the commission, the matter will be referred to the Labour Court for examination.

Under the new proposals the issue of pay increases will be the subject of local talks between unions and management. If there is no agreement, the matter can be referred back to the Workplace Relations Comission.

Unions have submitted pay claims for rail staff of up to 25 per cent. However all involved in the transport sector will be watching carefully to see the outcome of the dispute at the Luas light rail service.