Irish Rail threatens to press ahead with pay cuts

Iarnród Éireann has said it will press ahead with implementing €4.7m in cuts to its pay bill unless talks with unions next week yield an agreement.

The rail company announced yesterday that “as a clear statement of its commitment”, chief executive David Franks and members of his senior management team were immediately implementing the cuts, recommended by the Labour Court, to their own terms and conditions of employment “including foregoing of basic pay”.

Members of both driver unions, Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), voted to reject the court’s recommendation, with Siptu further balloting to begin industrial action if the terms were unilaterally imposed.