Result down to workers’ determined action

December 8th: Unite, which represents craft workers in Irish Rail, today (Friday) confirmed that members have voted to accept the recommendation issued by the Labour Court last month.  83 per cent of Unite members voted in favour of the recommendation, which will mean a 7.5% pay increase over three years, in addition to a cash payment.  Commenting, Unite Regional Officer Willie Quigley said that this result would not have been achieved without the determined action taken by workers which saw two days of strike action by Irish Rail staff.

“Thanks to the determined action taken by unions and their members, together with the hard work put in by the State’s industrial relations machinery, an agreement was reached which has now been overwhelmingly accepted by Unite members.

“I would now urge Transport Minister Shane Ross to move immediately and announce a timeframe for the stakeholder forum proposed by unions and endorsed by the Labour Court in its recommendation on Irish Rail, and previously in its recommendation regarding Bus Éireann”, Willie Quigley said.