Negotiations over threatened train strike resume in Dublin

Talks aimed at averting a planned three-hour strike by train drivers on Friday are continuing.

The talks process involving management at Iarnród Éireann and the trade unions Siptu and NBRU resumed at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Wednesday afternoon.

The parties had also spent more than 12 hours in discussions on Tuesday.

The NBRU said on that little progress had been made in the earlier talks and blamed management. Iarnród Éireann for its part said it had engaged positively.

The dispute centres on claims by drivers for payment for past productivity measures put in place over recent years such as new safety responsibilities and the operation of additional services.

Management at the State-owned train company said it would share benefits with drivers from future productivity.

The company has said it must achieve savings to deliver productivity and it believed that issues described as "past productivity" had previously been decided upon by the Labour Court or were issues largely concerning codifying of existing safety regulations.

The company said it was losing about €1 million a month.

If the stoppage goes ahead on Friday, there will be no Dart, commuter or inter-city services between 6am and 9am.

The general secretary of the NBRU Dermot O’Leary said: “The talks adjourned at 4.45am on (Wednesday morning) with no appreciable or significant progress despite the positivity espoused by the company on entering the talks yesterday, to, as it were, do a deal.

“We have in deference to the WRC agreed to re-convene today at 2pm in one final attempt to resolve the issues at the centre of the dispute.Whilst we have been more than prepared to accept our responsibilities in working towards a resolution on behalf of customers and staff alike, it seems to us that after six long and frustrating days at the WRC that commitment is not being matched by the company.”

Iarnród Éireann said on the resumption of the talks on Wednesday afternoon: “”We have engaged positively and continuously on all productivity issues and believe there is a basis to achieve cost savings and resulting benefit for the company and improved earnings for drivers. If the trade unions genuinely wish to achieve benefit for drivers, the opportunity is there. For the sake of our customers, the company and all employees, we hope that opportunity is taken.”

Trade unions are planning a further three-hour work stoppage on November 6th.