Talks avert Derby disruption

The threat to Saturday's Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park, Dublin, appears to have been averted. At talks yesterday Bord na gCon offered to restore parking facilities to all 70 SIPTU members who require it when working. SIPTU branch secretary Ms Chris Rowland said the union would defer Saturday's action "subject to the appropriate documentation being provided by management" to allow a ballot on the new proposals. Staff have secured pay increases of between 13.5 per cent and 22.3 per cent and the introduction of a pension scheme.