SIPTU MEMBERS AT Irish Rail are to be balloted for strike action.
It comes after they narrowly rejected a Labour Court recommendation in relation to cost containment plans at the transport company.
They voted by 51 per cent to 49 per cent to reject it.
Over 1,700 members participated in the ballot which was conducted by the SIPTU Irish Rail Committee.
SIPTU represents almost 2,000 of 3,760 employees at Iarnroid Eireann.
The proposals included pay cuts ranging from 1.7 per cent to 6.1 per cent.
SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, said:
Our members have found this recommendation as it currently stands unacceptable. We would now ask the company to reflect on this rejection of the recommendation.
“Following the rejection of these proposals, SIPTU members in Irish Rail will now be balloted on strike and industrial action which will be undertaken if management attempt to implement changes to workers’ terms and conditions of employment without agreement”.
Meanwhile, the TSSA union voted in favour of the Labour Court recommendations by 72 per cent to 28.
The TEEU and UNITE ballots will be completed later this week.
Irish Rail
Irish Rail have expressed their disappointment at SIPTU’s decision to reject the Labour Court recommendations.
It says it has seen a serious fall in income due to a cut in Government funding, rising fuel costs and reduced passenger numbers.
The Rail company says major changes are needed to save money in the company and ensure that it stays financially viable.
It also warned that failure to implement cost saving measures will result in redundancies and the closure of some lines.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar also expressed disappointment with the outcome of the ballot.
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