SIPTU members in Irish Rail are to ballot on fresh proposals for cost saving measures in the company. According to SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, the proposals include definitive clarity on exchequer subvention for the rail service for the next three years and a guarantee that the company will not seek further pay reductions or changes to conditions of employment during that time. “The timeframe for pay cuts has been reduced to 25 months and €1.2 million that was previously earmarked to come from payroll cuts are now to be obtained from non-payroll areas.Commitments have also been given by the company to address outstanding and unfulfilled trade union pay agreements,” he said. The SIPTU National Rail Committee decided today (Monday 16th June) to put the proposals to a ballot of members. The ballot will take place from 19th June until 6th July and will be counted on 7th July. The proposals emerged from intensive discussions last week and an earlier vote by SIPTU members in favour of industrial action following their rejection of a previous Labour Court recommendation.