Labour Court recommends review of Iarnrod Eireann crossing keepers’ pay and conditions

In 1999, the Labour Court recommended a joint review of pay and working conditions for Iarnrod Eireann crossing keepers, with the union to accept the company’s conciliation proposals in the interim. The recommendation was dated 21 June 1999. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union sought a £4.40 hourly minimum, a 12-hour daily limit, one day off each week, changes to pay records and welfare-scheme access, and abolition of the marking system. The Court said the crossing keepers’ roles made fair comparisons difficult and that applying the claims without other changes would create earnings anomalies and an impossible cost burden. It recommended reviewing availability, the marking system and pay scales, and improving accommodation by June 2000.