Truce declared as train drivers agree to end strike

AT least 100,000 commuters were affected by the week-long train strike by Cork drivers, which finally ended yesterday.

The drivers held three hours of talks with union representatives on the terms agreed with Iarnród Éireann at the Labour Relations Commission.

While the drivers still had concerns, they agreed to return to work from midnight last night. The first train to run was the 5.15am service to Dublin this morning.

However, Iarnród Éireann said eight services between Cork, Tralee and Mallow were cancelled this morning because trains needed to be moved into position to operate later services.

Among the commitments the drivers have agreed to is a guarantee they will cover absenteeism in Tralee. More controversially, they will allow their rosters, which the company claims have been favourably shaped by local agreements, form the basis of substantive talks at the LRC next Thursday.

“In return we get nothing except to be able to go back to work,” said one driver.

“We were put with a gun to our heads — accept it or you are out of work.”

Any roster changes will be closely watched by drivers.

“We don’t know what kind of changes the company is going to be looking for. They can’t make us do any more weekends because we are already working maximum weekends.

“They put on all these extra Sunday services but they do not have the staff to cover them,” he said.

The LRC will look at how the latest dispute began, how it escalated, and what grievance procedures are in place.

At its height, the drivers had been asked to sign slips of paper guaranteeing they will not engage in unofficial action again. That requirement has been removed.

However, unions had to give an undertaking that unofficial action will not be supported in the future.

Jackie Pearson of SIPTU, said: “This issue could have been resolved much faster if the company had handled it better. Having said that, we are glad the dispute is over and passengers are no longer discommoded.”

Iarnród Éireann said it was delighted it would be able to restore full services on the Cork and Kerry routes.

It said the LRC process has strengthened the company’s ability to provide service continuity in the future.