Irish Rail worker’s complaints over income protection deductions fail

The Workplace Relations Commission found that Thomas Dempsey’s two complaints against Iarnrod Eireann / Irish Rail were not well founded. The decision was dated 31 January 2024. Dempsey argued that deductions from his wages for an income continuance scheme lacked his individual written consent. The company said the scheme and deductions were authorised under a collective agreement incorporated into employees’ contracts. The adjudication officer found the deductions followed a collective agreement and did not require Dempsey’s individual consent. A 2016 Labour Court recommendation provided for the employer to contribute 30% of the scheme’s cost, with members paying the remaining 70%. The scheme’s weekly rate increased from €18.56 to €27.46 in 2023 as its benefits were reduced.