The Labour Court recommended that Iarnrod Eireann, the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association continue talks on restructuring terms for 236 executive-grade employees. The recommendation was dated 17 September 2002. The unions sought a pay increase above 20% and raised concerns about working patterns, performance contracts, mobility and other proposed changes. Iarnrod Eireann offered a 15% increase in return for flexibility. The Court said a pay rise of about 15% appeared justified for employees covered by collective bargaining, but called for clarification of the company's proposals and further discussions on unresolved terms.