Labour Court rejects National Bus And Rail Union claim to restore signalmen’s pay differential

The Labour Court did not recommend conceding the National Bus And Rail Union’s claim against Iarnrod Eireann to restore a pay differential for five Central Traffic Control signalmen. Its recommendation was signed on 24 October 1994. Before a 1994 productivity agreement, the signalmen’s top basic rate was £4.66 above locomotive drivers’ pay. The agreement increased drivers’ pay by £5.77 a week, which the union said eroded the differential. Iarnrod Eireann argued that there was no established relationship between the grades and productivity payments were not a valid basis for comparing them. The Court concluded that the company’s position was reasonable and did not recommend conceding the union’s claim.