Labour Court issues proposals to resolve rail dispute

The Labour Court has recommended a new process of talks between management and unions at Ianród Éireann on productivity in a bid to resolve a dispute which led to a work stoppage by train drivers last month.

It has also recommended the establishment of a "benchmarking" exercise to compare the totality of terms and conditions applicable to train drivers in Northern Ireland and Britain with those working in Ianród Éireann.

More than 500 train drivers in the State-owned rail operator, who are represented by the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu, are seeking payment for past productivity measures and a shorter working week.

The drivers staged a three-hour strike on the Friday of the bank holiday weekend in October although a second stoppage was averted after unions and management agreed to attend a Labour Court hearing on the issue.

Savings

In his recommendation issued on Tuesday, Labour Court chairman Kevin Duffy proposed a process of negotiation on productivity, taking into account all changes and efficiencies generating verifiable and auditable savings which continued to accrue to the company, but for which compensation had not previously been provided.

However, he urged that measures that were taken into account in earlier collective agreements should be disregarded.

Mr Duffy also proposed the establishment of a management-union working party facilitated by an agreed independent expert in the field of productivity measurement .

He said the benchmarking exercise comparing terms and conditions should be carried out without prejudice to the position of either party on what should follow from the results of that exercise.

General secretary of the NBRU Dermot O’Leary said that while members would have to ballot on the proposals, it welcomed the fact that the Labour Court had recommended that both of its issues of concern should be fully examined by an independent assessor.

Ianród Éireann also said it welcomed the Labour Court proposals.