Irish Rail drivers announce two early morning work stoppages

SIPTU train drivers in Irish Rail will undertake two three-hour work stoppages as part of a campaign of industrial action which they claim results from the company reneging on a commitment to discuss past productivity.

The Irish Rail Drivers’ Committee announced this afternoon that the work stoppages will take place on Friday, October 23, and Friday, November 6, between 6am and 9am.

SIPTU organiser Paul Cullen said: “The decision to undertake this industrial action indicates the level of frustration felt at the company’s refusal to honour an agreement to discuss past productivity it entered into in September 2014.

“Our members regret having to take industrial action but they have been left with no alternative due to management adopting an industrial relations strategy which allows it to disregard past agreements.”

Reacting to the SIPTU announcement, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, said: “News that rail services are to be disrupted, with a negative impact once again on the travelling public, is very disappointing. The issues at the heart of this dispute are ones that should be resolved through the industrial relations machinery that is available and best placed to mediate in such matters.”