Labour Court calls for renewed talks on IARNROD EIREANN signalsperson pay

In 2000, the Labour Court recommended renewed negotiations between IARNROD EIREANN, Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and National Bus and Rail Union over pay and proposed changes to signalsperson work. The recommendation was signed on 18 August 2000. The unions sought pay reflecting signalspersons’ average earnings, which they linked to overtime and seven-day working. IARNROD EIREANN offered lower figures for three classes and proposed a six-year pay scale for new entrants. It said the changes would replace regular seven-day work with a guaranteed five-day week and reduce average hours from 60 to 48. The Court said it could not recommend an improved offer on the case presented. It recommended that the parties resume talks to identify further productivity and flexibility measures that could support a revised pay offer. If that was not possible, the parties might have to acknowledge that restructuring the signalsperson grade was not practicable at that time.