Siptu rejects Irish Rail cost-savings proposal

Siptu, the largest driver union at Irish Rail, has rejected an amended Labour Court recommendation on cost savings at the company and said it will no longer negotiate with management if pay reductions remain on the table.

The company has said €8.5m in targeted savings are essential for its financial solvency as well as for the protection of customer services and the security of its workforce’s employment. As part of that total, it has sought €4.7m through cuts to its wage bill.

Prolonged negotiation with the staff trade unions resulted in acceptance of Labour Court proposals by TSSA, the Technical Electrical and Engineering Union, and Unite. However, during further negotiations with the two driver unions, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu, NBRU pulled out and threatened strike action if the cost-savings plan was unilaterally implemented.