The Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association has called off its threatened action for tomorrow, which could have caused widespread disruption of train services in the Republic.
The unofficial grouping announced its decision yesterday morning, shortly after the official trade unions representing Iarnrod Eireann drivers, SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union, issued a joint statement to members urging them to work normally.
Hearing of the ILDA decision, the SIPTU national industrial secretary, Mr Noel Dowling, said: "I welcome the fact that they have come to their senses and that this will be the end of this nonsense."
He said that the disruptive action taken by ILDA leaders was "doing incalculable and irreparable damage to the interests of train drivers, and the company generally. The public are absolutely cheesed off with this type of thing."
He called on drivers who had joined the ILDA to "seriously consider rejoining their trade unions before it is too late."
The NBRU assistant general secretary, Mr Liam Tobin, said that disruptive action by the ILDA "could not come at a worse time. The Competition Authority is looking at inter-city rail services. The likes of Virgin could come in and we'll have to compete while the ILDA, by its actions, is handing business to them on a plate".
He urged drivers to work normally this Sunday and await the outcome of talks on the viability plan, expected shortly. He said the unions would be meeting the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, early next week on outstanding issues.
In its statement yesterday, the ILDA said: "As a result of a communication received by Mr Chris Holbrook, loco driver Cork, on July 15th, the ILDA confirms that no member now has any grievance or dispute with respect to their right to represent fellow employees under Iarnrod Eireann's grievance and disciplinary procedures, or at appeals. Therefore all ILDA members will continue to operate trains on rest days, in accordance with custom and practice."
The association had been demanding that Mr Holbrook, who is its president, be given these assurances in writing, but it is understood he was only spoken to by local management in Cork.
Motorists have been warned of traffic disruption tomorrow near Croke Park, where the Leinster football semi-final replay takes place, and near Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, due to the Munster foot- ball final. Delays are also expected in Temple Bar in Dublin all week- end due to the Guinness Blues Festival. Iarnrod Eireann has said that all rail services will run normally this weekend.