Irish Rail may take court action over picket

IARNRÓD Éireann is considering court action and dismissing staff in order to remove an unofficial picket, which has stopped track-laying on the €105 million Cork-Midleton commuter line.

A source within the company confirmed yesterday that it was considering toughening its stance.

It came as for the eighth day rail maintenance workers prevented the delivery of new track to the site.

Meanwhile, the company said the unofficial action is not just putting jobs at risk on the Cork-Midleton commuter line.

“It is also threatening jobs on other projects being undertaken by the company, backed by public funding, including phase one of the Western Rail Corridor from Ennis to Athenry and upgrade works on the Cork – Cobh line,” a company spokeswoman said.

She said the unofficial action is preventing a train loaded with rail for the construction the Cork-Midleton line from passing Glounthaune junction.

“In doing so they (the pickets) are hindering delivery of this much needed commuter service for the people of Cork.

“As the impasse continues the jobs of those working on the project are put at risk,” the spokeswoman said.

She admitted that from an industrial relations point of view this was one of the most intractable situations Iarnród Éireann has faced.

The picket was mounted by line inspection staff who have maintained it is their job to lay the new track.

However, they have undertaken the picket without the backing of their unions, SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Workers’ Union (NRBU).

The unions have refused to back the pickets after a ruling went against them at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last month. The LRC ruled the work was the responsibility of the contractor and staff at its new works department.

It reiterated that ruling a few weeks later, at the request of Iarnród Éireann. Despite this 13 workers ignored the LRC ruling and mounted the picket.

“The individuals involved in mounting a 24-hour presence on the track at Glounthaune to prevent works there are acting outside an agreement reached at the Labour Relations Commission almost one month ago,” the spokeswoman said.

The Company has formally outlined its position to the unions in a written statement yesterday and urging them to hold true to the LRC-brokered agreement.