Train drivers offer to enter Labour Court talks

The union at the centre of the latest threatened rail strike has said it is still willing to enter Labour Court talks in a bid to avert tommorow's planned action.

The ATGWU has served strike notice effective from tomorrow as part of a long-running dispute over union recognition.

The stoppage by around 100 drivers will lead to severe disruption for rail passengers, with services to and from Dublin's Connolly Station expected to be worst hit.

The ATGWU drivers, formerly members of the breakaway Irish Locomotive Drivers Association, already brought the rail network to a virtual standstill when they refused to co-operate with new rosters and pay structures last year. That strike lasted more than 10 weeks.

Those drivers joined the ATGWU last March, but Iarnrod Eireann has refused to recognise it as an official union within the company. This has lead to tomorrow's planned strike.

The ATGWU's Mick O'Reilly, however, said he is amazed that the Labour Court has still not intervened in an effort to prevent the strike.

" We believe that this dispute can be resolved by the institutions of the state," he said.

"I don't know why they're not being used. Even at this late stage, we're ready, willing and able to participate in discussions under the auspices of the Labour Court with the company."