Strike action planned for next Friday at Iarnrod Eireann by SIPTU ticket-checkers and other non-driver grades has been called off. SIPTU lifted the threat after management agreed to drop its demand to reduce the size of trade union delegations involved in negotiation on a new pay deal. The company has, however, secured agreement that the number of negotiating groups should be reduced from 16 to five.
The negotiations have also been disrupted because of an inter-union dispute between SIPTU and National Bus and Rail Union shop stewards from Cork, who refuse to meet jointly with management. The problem dates back to the inter-union row at the time of the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association dispute last summer.