Labour Court issues proposals aimed at ending Irish Rail dispute

The Labour Court has issued proposals to management and driver unions at Irish Rail designed to end the prolonged — and disruptive for thousands of passengers — dispute over past productivity and working hours.

After months of lengthy, but ultimately unsuccessful, discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission, the two key issues were referred earlier this month to the court for adjudication.

The two unions, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu, had demanded past productivity be recognised as well as a reduction in the working week.