Railway unions threaten industrial action ahead of talks

Trade unions have warned of industrial conflict on the railways unless Iarnród Éireann reduces working hours for train drivers and improves pay and conditions.

Three days of talks between management at the State-owned rail company and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu are to get under way on Wednesday on issues such as payment for productivity measures, working hours for drivers in the Republic of Ireland and issues surrounding the training of new drivers.

Unions had contended that their members in the company had not been paid for productivity concessions dating back several years, while drivers argued that their working week was longer than that in place for their comparators in Northern Ireland and Britain.

A report on these issues was drawn up by the Labour Court several weeks ago.

Union statement

In a joint statement, NBRU general secretary Dermot O'Leary and Siptu assistant organiser Paul Cullen said: "There have been long and protracted negotiations stretching back over 10 years with regard to improvements to train drivers' terms and conditions.

“Unfortunately, it took a work stoppage last autumn to bring a semblance of recognition to our members’ concerns that they were being left behind in terms of their ambitions to improve their conditions.

“We are now on the final leg of the process towards major improvements for our members.

“”The independent report has thrown up some challenges for train drivers, not least the necessity to reach a similar level of driving hours as their UK counterparts.

“Our members are prepared to discuss the broad agenda set out in the report with a view towards embracing some of the changes, which may be necessary to effect the long overdue improvements to train drivers.

“It is imperative that the company will reciprocate by facilitating the reduction in the working week and agreeing to improve the terms and conditions of its driving resource.

“Failure to do so will inevitably result in our members having to resort to engaging in industrial action in order to realise such improvements.”

Commission talks

Iarnród Éireann said the talks at the Workplace Relations Commission this week related to driver issues, including the recent independent report, productivity, comparative working time, conditions for train drivers and driver training matters.

The company said: “While the [independent] report concluded that much of what was claimed [by drivers] as past productivity either did not constitute productivity or had already been addressed by previous agreements, the Labour Court recommendation did provide for the outcomes to be reviewed at the Workplace Relations Commission.

“The report itself states that further study is required in some areas, including comparative conditions, for any conclusions to be drawn.

“In addition, it is imperative that issues surrounding co-operation with driver training are addressed and resolved.”