A threat of disruption to Dart services eased slightly yesterday when Iarnród Éireann decided to delay by a day the commissioning of longer trains.
However, the company insisted that the commissioning of the eight-carriage trains would begin tonight at 10pm, despite concerns that drivers will refuse to co-operate. There is no threat of disruption to services today, but the outlook beyond that is likely to hinge on the outcome of a drivers' meeting tonight.
The row is over the refusal of the company to give drivers a pay increase for operating the eight-carriage trains, in place of the six-carriage trains used at present.
In a case heard in June the Labour Court, in a recommendation, backed the company's stance and rejected a claim by the drivers' unions, Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union.
The unions have jointly balloted their 84 Dart-driving members on the recommendation, and the result will be made known this morning. It is almost certain the drivers have voted to reject the recommendation. They are to meet tonight to consider their next step, which is likely to be a ballot for industrial action.
If the drivers opt for that course, but agree to continue testing the longer trains in the meantime, the threat of disruption to services would be removed for a number of weeks.
Siptu official Willie Noone said last night that time would have to be allowed for the ballot to be conducted. If the drivers voted to strike, a month's notice would then have to be served on the company.
Should drivers decide this evening not to co-operate with the commissioning of the longer trains, the dispute could be a brought to a head much more quickly.
It is understood, however, that the company told union leaders yesterday it was "not in the business of suspending people".
In a statement last night Iarnród Éireann said it plans to bring the longer trains into service in late September and for this to happen it was essential that commissioning work commence as scheduled this week.
