IARNRÓD ÉIREANN last night said it expected that there would be significant disruption again today to rail services in the south as a result of the ongoing dispute involving train drivers in Cork.
Talks were continuing last night between between trade unions and management at Iarnród Éireann under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in an attempt to resolve the unofficial dispute.
Iarnród Éireann said that it would waive a controversial requirement for drivers to sign individual undertakings that they would fully comply with existing agreements on flexible work practices and not undertake further unofficial industrial action.
The company said that it would accept such assurances from the drivers' unions.
Iarnród Éireann said that it had sought to verify from the drivers that they would operate existing agreements in full but that it was clear that the drivers were not prepared to meet the terms in full.
Iarnród Éireann said some 70,000 passengers had been affected over the last six days by the dispute, which has seen dozens of services cancelled and cost the company more than €2 million.
LRC facilitator Tom Pomphrett met separately with both Iarnród Éireann management and representatives of Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) yesterday as part of exploratory talks aimed at finding a back-to-work formula.
On their way into the talks, both management and unions had expressed the hope that services would resume, but it was unclear last night whether trains would be running from Cork today.
Nearly 20 services on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Kerry routes were cancelled yesterday, as were all commuter services on the Cork to Cobh and Cork to Mallow lines.
Drivers had said they will not go back to work until the company withdraws controversial undertakings it is seeking them to sign.
Assistant general secretary of the NBRU Dermot O'Leary said that he hoped to get the trains back on the tracks. He said that his members had been willing to go to work on Monday but were prevented by the company.
Siptu branch organiser Jackie Pearson said it was a pity that direct talks with management had not taken place three or four days ago, as he was confident that had they done so trains would be running.
John Keenan of Iarnród Éireann said that the company wanted a satisfactory commitment from its drivers that they would work in accordance with agreements.
"We want drivers who are paid, to drive trains for our passengers. It is very simple," he said.
The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) strongly criticised the unofficial strike action. It said it was causing major inconvenience to travellers and threatening the tourism industry on the eve of one of the most important holiday weekends of the year.
The IHF said it was unbelievable that the dispute had been allowed to continue.
IHF president Matthew Ryan said the "irresponsible action" was already having a major impact on one of the busiest bank holidays of the year due to uncertainty regarding train services.
"Cancellations are rife, not only in the hotel sector but across concerts and other business events due to people not being able to get to Dublin or down to Cork or Kerry.
Flexible working has been at the heart of the dispute. The company has said that, under existing agreements, drivers can be required to move from operating one train to another during a shift on the basis of customer need.
However, it is understood that the Cork drivers have argued that, under a local agreement, the obligation on them to move between duties "as required" only applied in emergency circumstances.