Labour Court recommends €2,500 payment in Iarnrod Eireann rail testers dispute

In 2002, the Labour Court recommended acceptance of Iarnrod Eireann’s restructuring proposals for five ultrasonic rail testers/operators, including a €2,500 lump sum. The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union had sought annual pay of €44,000 per worker for a 44-hour week and a separate €2,540 payment; the company had offered €1,278. The Court said current pay already included the 10% increase made in 1998, described the proposed increase from €387.61 for a 39-hour week to €650.61 for a 44-hour week as generous, and found no basis for the union’s claim for an additional €8,086. The recommendation was signed on 12 December 2002.