Labour Court recommends revised terms for Irish Rail crossing keepers

In 1990, the Labour Court recommended a revised pay and conditions package for Irish Rail’s non-resident level crossing keepers, rather than applying depotperson terms directly. The recommendation was signed on 1 February 1990. The Rail Operative Trade Union Group sought regular wages, grade status and improved conditions. Irish Rail argued that the keepers’ intermittent duties differed from depotpersons’ work and that equivalent terms would impose substantial costs. The Court recommended a basic rate related to the depotpersons’ rate, a fixed premium reflecting spread-over attendance hours, a differential for busier crossings, access to the CIE Welfare Scheme and investigation of pension-scheme eligibility.