Mr David Franks
Chief Executive Officer
Iarnród Éireann
Connolly Station
Dublin 1

3rd October 2014

Re: Non-Safety Critical Training Courses/ Cost Management Committee

Dear Sir,

You will by now be aware that our members have accepted (see separate correspondence) the LRC proposals issued on the 3rd September.

You will further be aware that one of the issues contained in the proposals references the objectives of the Cost Management Committee along with the necessity to commit to the delivery of identified savings.

The NBRU will be attending the Cost Management Committee and we intend to outline our objectives as to how we envisage the role of the committee in identifying areas for cost savings.

However, in advance of the next meeting of the committee and in keeping within the spirit of the financial transparency as proposed by the LRC, we are advancing the following position:

The suspension of all non-safety critical courses, i.e. those provided by outside bodies in relation to learning and development. We do of course understand that a number of staff may be mid-course and we are not suggesting that they be prevented from completing their respective courses.

We do however feel that courses which have not yet commenced should be temporarily suspended with immediate effect.

In advancing this proposal we are conscious that a number of staff (including some of our members) are anxious to develop their careers within Iarnród Éireann. Indeed the NBRU was at the vanguard of breaking down the demarcation barriers that existed for far too long within the Company,
barriers it should be said that were supported and upheld by both worker and Company representatives.

However we feel that a suspension of these courses would send out a strong message to all staff that we are committed collectively to unearthing savings in all areas of the Company’s operations.

Yours Sincerely

_______________
DERMOT O’LEARY
General Secretary