Industrial action averted as Irish Rail agrees to talks

Industrial action at Irish Rail, which could have affected thousands of passengers, has been averted after the company confirmed it will attend talks with one of its driver unions.

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) had threatened to ballot drives for stoppages, claiming the company was applying “unagreed” standards and was engaging in an “unprecedented” breach of an agreement supported by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

Last summer, almost 100,000 passengers had travel plans thrown into chaos when staff staged strikes over the company’s decision to press ahead with temporary pay cuts. An end to the stand-off was achieved through negotiation and in its recommendation, the LRC said the sides should enter a conciliation conference on “past productivity”.