Threatened rail strike postponed

A THREATENED strike by 200 rail workers, which would have crippled services in Munster and disrupted travel plans for thousands of sports and music fans, has been deferred following the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission.

The strike, which was to have commenced last night, was postponed yesterday after SIPTU and Iarnród Éireann management agreed to an invitation for talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

SIPTU served strike notice on Iarnród Eireann after the company failed to reinstate a ticket-seller, although ordered to do so by an Employment Appeals Tribunal. The company had dismissed the man three years ago for what it termed ticket sales irregularities.

The union’s branch secretary, John Pearson, said he hoped a solution would be found and that thousands of people planning to travel to the Munster hurling final clash in Cork and U2 concerts in Dublin would now be able to do so without disruption.

Drivers and ancillary staff had been planning to take strike action in Cork and Mallow, disrupting all services in the county and ones in Kerry. Between tomorrow and Monday more than 8,000 people per day are expected to avail of ordinary and special trains out of Cork and Kerry.

Three specials, each carrying up to 500 people, will depart from Cork to the U2 concerts in Dublin on Friday and Saturday. A further two specials will leave on Monday.

In addition, four specials are planned from Limerick Junction and Thurles on Sunday for Tipperary supporters attending the Munster hurling final in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.