Irish Rail to face down train drivers if strike goes ahead

IRISH RAIL is prepared to face down ATGWU train drivers if they go ahead with a planned series of one-day stoppages in a row over their claim to be recognised by the company.

Balloting on the stoppages begins today in ATGWU’s 3/57 branch, formerly the Irish Locomotive Drivers’ Association (ILDA), and are due to take effect on December 15, causing rail chaos in the pre-Christmas period.

The action coincides with the introduction of a major expansion of commuter and inter-city rail services, announced last Friday by Transport Minister Séamus Brennan.