Iarnród Éireann and unions set to resume talks in bid to avert strike

Iarnród Éireann and unions are set to resume talks on Monday at the Labour Relation Commission aimed at averting strike action that would impact thousands of commuters.

Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union had announced plans to hold a three-hour work stoppage on Friday, October 23, and a second in November in a dispute over payment for productivity.

NBRU general secretary, Dermot O’Leary, said that the issue of previous contributions by train drivers remains top of the agenda.

“It is imperative that the company would take heed of the [transport] minister’s words and take cognisance of their responsibility to the taxpayer and their own staff in order to avoid industrial conflict,” he said.

Iarnród Éireann welcomed the development in a statement.

“Industrial action will damage customer demand, customer confidence, the finances of the company and ultimately the interests of all employees,” the company warned.