Talks to prevent train strike set for Monday

New talks aimed at averting planned industrial action on the country’s railways are to take place on Monday.

The Workplace Relations Commission on Friday invited management at Iarnród Éireann as well as the National Bus and Rail Union and Siptu, which represent train drivers to take part in a new process.

The Workplace Relations Commission is the new name for the former Labour Relations Commission under Government reforms.

The NBRU, Siptu and Iarnród Éireann said they would be attending the new talks.

Trains drivers have said they will stage two work stoppages of three hours duration on the Friday of the forthcoming October bank holiday weekend , October 23rd and on Friday , November 6th.

The stoppages would run from 6am to 9 am.

The dispute centres over payment for past productivity measures introduced by drivers over recent years.

Management at the State-owned train company said it would be prepared to share with train drivers benefits arising from future productivity measures but that it couldnot afford to pay for measures put in place up to 15 years ago. It said the company was still losing €1 million per month.

NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said it had been asked to re-engage at the Workplace Relations Commission “on the basis that all parties, inclusive of the company, are prepared to discuss all aspects of productivity”.

“It should be understood by all sides that the issue of previous contributions by train drivers remains top of the NBRU agenda”, he said.

Siptu organiser Paul Cullen said the union's representatives were " prepared to listen to what management has to say on Monday concerning a possible solution to this dispute".

Iarnrod Eireann said: "We hope this intervention can ensure that the threatened disruption to rail services planned by trade unions on 23rd October and 6th November can be avoided, and an agreement can be reached which will yield benefits for both the company and employees."

“At a time when our business is experiencing some recovery, and when we have had some success in securing much-needed additional Exchequer funding, any disruption will be hugely damaging, with the effects felt beyond the hours of action due to train sets and crews being out of place for following services.”