SIPTU members in Irish Rail voted by 71% to 29% to accept Labour Relations Commission (LRC) proposals in relation to cost containment at the transport company in a ballot counted on Friday (3rd October) in Liberty Hall, Dublin.

The proposals include temporary pay cuts for a 25 month period and a forum involving trade unions, Irish Rail, the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority to discuss the long term funding of the rail service.

SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, said: “SIPTU will now formally write to the company advising it of this result. Our members have accepted further pay cuts amidst growing anger with management in relation to its failure to adequately contain other costs at the company”.

“Our members expect the company and the Government to now live up to their commitments in relation to the LRC proposals. Management at Irish Rail should be aware that it has no right to further alter agreements that it has entered into with our members, as it has continually attempted to do in the past”.

He added: “Management continues to practice double standards when it comes to cost containment in Irish Rail and these must now be addressed”.