Bosses slam drivers

Bosses at Iarnród Éireann have laid the blame for wildcat strike action, which has ground rail services to a halt, at the door of Cork drivers.

Up to 35,000 commuters nationwide today faced a second day of rail chaos because of lightning strikes that were kicked off yesterday by two train drivers in Cork.

Extra bus services have been put on by Bus Éireann to cope with the surge in passengers.

A spokesman said all other customers had made alternative arrangements and it was unnecessary to put on additional bus services.

The dispute broke out after two train drivers in Cork yesterday refused to operate a new fleet of hi-tech trains, which were to be introduced on a pilot basis.

The drivers involved in the dispute earn €50,000 annually but have said they want more money, two hours cut from their working week and bigger pensions if they’re to drive the new trains.

This pay claim by drivers was rejected by the Labour Court in January.

The drivers also say they need more comprehensive training to operate the new trains.

A leading union official has said it is ‘unlikely’ the strike action would be resolved today even though a meeting between union officials and the National Committee of Locomotive Drivers was due to take place in Dublin.

SIPTU’s industrial relations secretary, Michael Halpenny and Liam Tobin from the National Rail and Bus Union were due to meet with drivers this morning to try and reach a solution.

“Because it’s an unofficial dispute and now gathering momentum, it is quite unpredictable where this situation will end. We are facing a bleak situation,” Mr Halpenny told The Evening Echo.

Management at Iarnród Éireann said it is ‘frustrated and disappointed’ by the action taken by drivers, and made it clear there is no room for compromise.

The company has issued an ultimatum to the drivers to return to work.

Industrial relations mediator Phil Flynn had been due to meet with the company and driver representatives today, to try and find a solution to a number of outstanding issues, but he refused to meet with employees involved in unofficial action.

Iarnród Éireann’s director of business development John Keenan said: “What has happened is a couple of drivers in Cork decided to hijack the process in favour of strike action to use as leverage for conditions. This type of action will not be tolerated in any way.”