Irish Rail told to pay into fund for disabled staff
However, the Labour Court has ruled that it must contribute 30% towards the cost of setting up such a scheme, designed to assist Irish Rail employees who are found medically unfit to continue in their role and for whom redeployment is not possible.
Trade unions representing Irish Rail workers had sought the establishment of an “income continuance plan” for staff unable to work, as part of an agreement that all employees be subject to periodical compulsory medical check-ups.
The trade unions group, which consists of Siptu, the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union, and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, argued that such a scheme for incapacitated employees should be co-funded by Irish Rail.
They also sought the establishment of a rehabilitation process for staff who acquired a disability as a result of illness or work injury.
The matter was referred to the Labour Court after both sides failed to resolve the issue at local level.
Irish Rail said it must carry out a fitness-for-work medical for each “safety critical” employee in order to comply with EU safety regulations.
Although the company was willing to assist the unions with the setting-up of an income continuance scheme, it said it was not in a position to contribute to it due to the company’s serious financial position. In 2014 it recorded a €2.2m operating deficit, leaving the State railway company with accumulated losses of €135.1m.
It also opposed the formal rehabilitation process for injured workers, claiming it had consistently dealt with such cases in a fair manner but on a case-by-case basis.
The Labour Court ruled that the cost of the scheme to Irish Rail should be taken into account in separate ongoing talks between management and staff on productivity levels. Once such talks were completed, the Labour Court said the 30:70 ratio for contributions to the scheme between employer and employees should be reviewed.
