Irish Rail Drivers To Embark On Work Stoppage

From 6am to 9am on Friday 23 October, and again on 6 November, strike action will be taken.

Union bosses at SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union are meeting this afternoon to finalise plans for industrial action, in an ongoing row over payment for productivity.

The first stoppage is scheduled for the Friday before the October bank holiday weekend – a period when carriages are typically packed with commuters, and passengers taking a long weekend break.

“Forcing staff into a scenario whereby they feel they have no other option but to take industrial action is no way to practice employee relations”, he said.

The stoppages will affect Dart, commuter, and inter-city services.

“The date and time of future industrial actions will be decided based on the company’s response to these limited work stoppages”.

Meanwhile, there is also industrial action brewing at Dublin Bus.

Bank holiday weekends are traditionally the busiest times of the year for the rail network.

“As we have stated consistently, we remain available to engage with our trade unions on productivity claims, with the assistance of the industrial relations machinery of the state”.

“The financial situation at Irish Rail is such that the company continues to lose €1 million each month”.

Mr Donohoe added: “Industrial action at Irish Rail will massively inconvenience the public and have a damaging effect on the company’s finances”.