The union SIPTU says its members in Irish Rail may consider a ballot for strike action over a pay claim.

It has referred a claim for "a substantial pay increase" for its members in all grades of the company to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

SIPTU says the refusal by Irish Rail management to engage "meaningfully" on the claim over recent weeks has resulted in its referral to the WRC.

Management were informed in a letter from SIPTU representatives today.

In a statement, the union says: "We have requested the restoration of all of the pay and other terms and conditions under the cost containment agreement which ends in October this year".

It also says it has convened a meeting of the SIPTU National Rail Committee for Thursday April 28th to discuss "the possibility of a ballot for strike action".