Pension increase for retired CIÉ workers following 17 year wait

CIE pension workers will get a pension increase following efforts by unions.

On Thursday, an agreement was reached between the CIÉ Group and the company’s trade union group.

Under the proposals, eligible CIÉ pensioners would receive an increase of up to 5%.

The CIE represents workers who were employed by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, and Irish Rail.

In some instances, pensioners have not received an increase in 17 years, while other CIE workers received pay increases from 2016 onwards.

News of the agreement was welcomed by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, who said “this is a strong example of proactive and inclusive dialogue that prioritises long-term outcomes for employees and pensioners alike.”

Labour’s transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern said “this represents a significant breakthrough for the more than 2,600 CIÉ pensioners who haven’t had a pension increase for 17 years.”

He said “it is utterly unjust that while pensions and pay have increased for other public servants and retired employees of semi-State bodies in line with staff pay increases and rising costs of living, retired CIÉ workers have been left high and dry. Blocking pension increases for these workers who have made massive contributions to our public transport infrastructure and network is completely unacceptable.”

“I’m glad that following a long and hard-fought campaign by former CIÉ workers, the CIÉ Salaried Pensioners Association and trade unions, the CIÉ is addressing this long-standing injustice. We in Labour believe pay parity is a basic right and will continue to push Government to safeguard the rights of workers who dedicate years of hard work and service to the State,” he said.