Labour Court backs Iarnrod Eireann offer in rail workers’ compensation dispute

The Labour Court recommended that Iarnrod Eireann and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union resolve their dispute over compensation for the Kildare Rail Project on the basis of the company’s final offer. The recommendation was signed on 30 May 2011. The union sought €1,500 for workers maintaining and patrolling the line between Heuston Station and Kildare after it doubled from two tracks to four. It argued the change added the equivalent of 16 miles of track to their responsibilities. Iarnrod Eireann said the work was spread over a wider area, proposed two Patrol Ganger posts and said it could not afford the claim. The Court also recommended keeping the situation under review.