Further severe disruption to rail services is expected today as a result of the unofficial action by train drivers that left up to 35,000 passengers stranded yesterday, writes Chris Dooley, Industry and Employment Correspondent.
Services to and from Heuston Station in Dublin and Kent Station in Cork were the worst affected, but there was significant disruption throughout the south and west.
The dispute erupted after two Cork-based drivers refused to operate a new high-tech train which the company had planned to bring into service on a trial basis yesterday. All other Cork-based drivers stopped work in support of their two colleagues, as did all drivers based at Inchicore in Dublin. Half of those based in Limerick also joined the action.
As a result there were no services between Dublin and Cork, while only a limited number operated from the capital to Limerick, Galway, Westport and Waterford.
A similar level of disruption is expected today.
There were no indications that an early resolution to the dispute was likely, with the company insisting last night that it would not negotiate with staff engaged in unofficial action.
Industrial relations mediator Phil Flynn had been scheduled to meet the company and driver representatives today to discuss issues between them. However, he has cancelled this meeting as a result of the drivers' action. Mr Flynn will hold exploratory discussions today with union officials.
Iarnród Éireann is seeking to introduce a new generation of trains, known as the "Mark Four", as part of a €117 million investment in its rolling stock. Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union sought a pay increase of 5 per cent for drivers, and a reduction in working hours, in return for the introduction of the new trains as well as other work changes.
The claim was rejected in January by the Labour Court, which said drivers were required to operate the new trains under a 2000 agreement with the company known as the "new deal". But the court said the sides should have further discussions on other issues, such as the application of new safety standards.
NBRU general secretary Liam Tobin said last night that there was "a perception" among the drivers that all of the issues would have been agreed before the new trains were introduced.
Iarnród Éireann, however, said the introduction of the trains was a separate matter which had been dealt with by the Labour Court.
Its director of business development, John Keenan, said talks on the outstanding issues had been taking place and in recent days the company had accepted the unions' suggestion that Mr Flynn be appointed as mediator.
"Really what has happened is that a small group of drivers have hijacked the process. That type of behaviour cannot and should not be rewarded in any way," he said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the action was "particularly disappointing" given the investment that had been made in improving facilities for customers on the Dublin-Cork route. "It isn't the way to do business. There are extensive mechanisms available through the labour relations machinery to sort out this type of issue without causing major inconvenience to the public which is what happened on a wet Monday morning."