Relief for Christmas rail users as strike threat averted following union deal

There will be no Christmas rail strikes this year after news of a breakthrough deal that was accepted by unions was confirmed today.

The National Bus and Rail Union, Siptu and Unite all voted in favour of agreeing the deal that was offered to workers who had already carried out 24-hour strikes twice in November. Workers will now be given a 7.5% pay rise over the next three years, along with a €500 voucher.

69% of NBRU members said yes to the deal, Siptu members passed it by 75% and Unite members by 83%. The pay rises are backdated to December 1 this year.

The pay rises are backdated to December 1 this year and staff will also get a €500 voucher before Christmas.

General Secretary of the NBRU, Dermot O'Leary, said;

"They have done so in the face of a management team who, led by the CEO, set its face against recognising the fact that staff that have contributed greatly to making Iarnród Éireann a successful modern railway service, with record revenue and the highest ever recorded passenger numbers," he said.

The agreement means that any fears of further 24-hour stoppages in the run up to Christmas have been alleviated, and shoppers will be able to use the rail network up until December 24.