Talks aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions between Iarnród Éireann and train drivers have broken down at the Labour Relations Commission this evening.
The National Bus and Rail Union said talks ended as a result of an unwillingness on the part of Iarnród Éireann to engage with unions on the productivity element of the LRC brokered agreement of 3 September last year.
Workers say they have been faced with demands from management for increased productivity, while at the same time enduring a number of pay cuts.
Dermot O'Leary from the NBRU said it was disappointing that the company is reneging on an agreement.
He said industrial action could be on the cards as a result.
A meeting of the joint unions, SIPTU and the NBRU, will now be convened to discuss the ramifications of the break down.
In a statement following the break down of talks this evening Iarnród Éireann said : "We regret that agreement was not reached on a process to identify and agree measures which would meet these joint aspirations, but remain available for further discussions.
"In a situation where the company continues to lose over €1 million a month, we must ensure that we identify verifiable cost savings through defined productivity measures. Any other course of action would renew the threat to the future viability of Iarnród Éireann, job security for all employees, and the services we provide to our customers.
"A further engagement under the auspices of the LRC is planned next month to discuss possible productivity measures for the wider organisation."
