Iarnrod Eireann's summer schedules could face a legal challenge from the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association if it attempts to introduce them on the basis of a new agreement reached with two other train drivers' unions. The schedules are due to begin on June 5th.
The ILDA is opposed to Sunday working being compulsory or being paid for at less than double time.
The new agreement with SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union provides for basic pay increases of up to £12,000, or £29,500 a year, and a reduction in the working week from six to five days. However, it also requires drivers to work Sundays routinely at the new flat rate.
The ILDA says 89 per cent of its members want to retain double time for Sundays and 85 per cent want to be guaranteed a predetermined number of Sundays off each year. Ninety-eight per cent also want the right to Sundays off on the basis of exceptional circumstances.
The ILDA executive secretary, Mr Brendan Ogle, said yesterday his union now has 46 per cent of mainline train drivers and it would "explore every possible avenue . . . to prevent this deal coming in". He did not believe compulsory working on Sundays or bank holidays was legal.
Mr Ogle added that other unions had agreed to provide seven-day working until September 2001 to guarantee services.
The senior SIPTU negotiator of the deal, Mr Tony Tobin, said his union and the NBRU regarded the new agreement "as a very good deal for drivers. It will guarantee them a better lifestyle, and we are proceeding with it."
He said seven-day working would continue in the short term because of a shortage of drivers, but members would be paid extra for it.