THE IARNRÓD Éireann drivers’ dispute, which caused major disruption to rail services over the past week, could come to an end today as unions vote on settlement terms.
In a breakthrough yesterday, management and union leaders at Iarnród Éireann agreed settlement proposals drawn up in talks chaired by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). The proposals will be put to union members this morning.
Iarnród Éireann last night said that the proposals met its requirements for all existing agreements to be worked in full. Siptu also welcomed the settlement terms.
There is again expected to be widespread disruption to rail services between Dublin and Cork and Kerry and to commuter services in the south early today.
However, subject to approval of the proposals by drivers at the meeting, services could begin to resume this afternoon. A full rail service would then recommence tomorrow.
It is understood that the proposals would see drivers in Cork working existing agreements on flexible work practices.
The document is also believed to indicate that drivers who engage in unofficial industrial action in the future could face disciplinary procedures. The LRC is also to chair further talks next week on other wider issues associated with the dispute.
In the course of the talks Iarnród Éireann withdrew 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 before returning to work.
Siptu branch organiser Jackie Pearson said that the union was reasonably happy that it had achieved what it set out to do through dialogue with the company.
Dermot O’Leary of the National Bus and Rail Union also welcomed the withdrawal of the individual undertaking sought by the company.
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.
The current dispute began last Thursday when a driver who was rostered to carry out shunting duties refused to drive a train which was being used to train new staff.