Retired union leader offers to mediate in ILDA train-drivers' dispute

Mr Tom Darby, a founder member and former leader of the "breakaway" union, the NBRU - one of the two main unions in CIE - has…

Mr Tom Darby, a founder member and former leader of the "breakaway" union, the NBRU - one of the two main unions in CIE - has offered to mediate between Iarnrod Eireann and the ILDA train-drivers' group, following widespread chaos on the railways this bank holiday weekend.

Mr Darby (72), who retired in 1992 as general secretary of the NBRU, which was formed by dissident bus-drivers in the early 1960s, said last night he would be more than willing to act as mediator in the 50-day dispute, if called upon.

He would not be formally offering his services, however, he said.

"If they want me, I'm there," said the former NBRU leader, whose expertise in industrial relations is widely respected on both sides of industry.

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"The company says it won't talk to the ILDA, so if they want to put their views through me, as an independent broker, I'm more than happy to oblige."

His role, in the event, would be to act as a "conduit" between both sides of the dispute, to facilitate dialogue, said Mr Darby.

Mr John Keenan, head of human resources at Iarnrod Eireann, expressed some initial surprise at the claim.

He had heard nothing directly from the former NBRU leader, but said he would welcome any initiative aimed at breaking the deadlock, provided the train-drivers agreed to negotiate under the auspices of the two existing licensed unions, SIPTU and the NBRU.

At yesterday's national executive meeting of the ILDA in Tullamore, the dissident train-drivers eagerly welcomed Mr Darby's informal offer.

The ILDA's aim is to induce Iarnrod Eireann to invite its executive secretary, Mr Brendan Ogle, and his national executive colleagues to the negotiating table.

In a separate development last night, the independent TD for South Kerry, Mr Jackie HealyRae, confirmed that he, along with three other Independent TDs who normally support the Government, had asked to meet the ILDA leaders to clarify what exactly their position was.

"We were led to believe by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke, at a large meeting in Cahirciveen on Friday, that it was against the High Court decision to even talk to these people and that it would cause terrible damage."

But the ILDA had challenged that, he said, insisting that the Minister could speak to them. "They have told me that they're prepared to go back to work tomorrow morning if they're allowed to continue at their old rosters, but that Iarnrod Eireann were against this."

Within CIE there is a precedent for such an approach, said Mr Healy-Rae, as demonstrated by the recent strike at Ringsend garage in Dublin by bus-drivers, who were allowed to return to work on the basis of old rosters (outside the current productivity deal), while negotiations on new work practices continued.

He said he would be asking Ms O'Rourke, and Iarnrod Eireann, too, "if she's following High Court instructions, because I'm told she's not".