Talks between Irish Rail and unions adjourn for weekend

Exploratory discussions at Labour Relations Commission buildings to resume Monday

Exploratory talks involving Irish rail management and unions have concluded for the weekend but will resume on Monday.

The Labour Relations Commission yesterday intervened in the dispute at Irish Rail over the temporary pay cuts and invited unions and management to exploratory talks which commenced at 11.30 am and were adjourned at around 2pm.

Representatives of the National Bus and Rail Union (NRBU), SIPTU and Irish Rail attended the talks.

The talks have been adjourned until Monday at midday.

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A spokesman for Irish Rail said there had been “constructive engagement” during the exploratory talks held at the Labour Relations Commission buildings today.

Siptu’s Paul Cullen said that parties on either side of the dispute had outlined their positions at the exploratory talks today.

He said the unions’ position remained that strikes were planned for September 6th and 7th but that “hopefully we will see when we go back on Monday if progress can be made”.

A further two days of strikes at the rail operator by members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu are scheduled to take place on September 7th and 8th with another stoppage planned for on September 21st.

About 160,000 passengers were affected by the strike last week which was over a decision by management to implement unilaterally temporary pay cuts of between 1.7 and 6 per cent.