STRIKE SEES RAIL SERVICES GRIND TO A HALT
More strike days down the line
RAIL passengers across County Wicklow are facing major disruption following the news that Irish Rail staff across the country are set to strike in a dispute over pay increases.
The first of five planned strikes is due to take place today ( Wednesday) with commuters to be left stranded as services grind to a halt.
Further action is planned should an agreement not be reached between the company management and staff with the help of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
Strikes are currently scheduled for November 1, 7, 14, 23 and December 8.
One particular cause for concern is the November 14 date, which will see football fans left stranded for the crucial World Cup qualifier between Ireland and Denmark.
We visited Bray train station to talk to commuters on Friday.
Stephanie Dillon works in Bray but is from Donabate and will be forced to use a week from holiday time for the strike days.
‘ There is absolutely no other way for me to get to work,’ she said. ‘I’ve had to take annual leave days for the strikes. It has a huge knock-on effect for me. It was the only way for me to get around it.
‘I think it’s really unfair to commuters overall. There are people who can get the bus, but then there are people who really just have no other option. There are people whose bosses might not be so flexible or understanding, or people who didn’t have any annual leave days left.’
Cheryl Adams from Enniskerry is going in to visit someone in St Vincent’s hospital on a daily basis and will find the strike a huge inconvenience. She can still get a bus but the journey is longer and includes a walk from the N11 and down Nutley Lane.
‘It involves planning a whole new route,’ said Cheryl.
Regular Dart user Jacqueline Damaso uses the facility regularly for work. She won’t be affected this week as she doesn’t work on Wednesdays, but other days as the action goes on will make it more difficult for her to travel.
‘I’m not supportive of the strike, I would prefer to see the service continue as normal,’ she said.
Ian Walsh lives in Shankill and works in Bray. The rail strike will have very little effect on his daily commute as he can get a bus. However, Ian plans to go to see Ireland play Denmark in the Aviva on Tuesday, November 14, and the strike will have major consequences for him and thousands of others if it proceeds on that day.
‘If it’s not called off, it’ll be a major obstruction to everyone. That’ll cause mayhem, but I would have sympathy for the guys going on strike. They’re entitled to do it.’
Former teacher Ger Gale is an occasional user of Dart and rail services.
‘I’m retired, so it wouldn’t have a major effect on my life. Although two of my sons would be affected when the Dart is out. I’m not sure of the specifics regarding the industrial relations in this case, but these days everyone is looking to get the most out of their workers. How are they supposed to live? So in principal I’d be supportive of reasoned reaction. These days I’m glad I’m retired, I think it’s very hard for young people starting their lives.’
Meanwhile, down at Enniscorthy train station last Friday, local resident and Bray native Georgina Ahuir was using the train to head away for a week with her family.
‘ The strike could pose a problem for us coming back alright,’ she said.
‘I don’t know what we’ll do if they’re not running when we’re coming back next week. I’m originally from Bray and my mother uses the train to come down and see us the whole time. It would be terrible if they went ahead with the plans of closing this route altogether.’
As Christmas looms large, traditionally more people from the area will take the train to the capital to indulge in some shopping and to enjoy the festive atmosphere, however, the planned strikes will now mean they’ll have to pay extra attention to the timetables.
While the Chairman of Iarnród Éireann says he is hopeful that a resolution can be reached, rail passengers around the county will be looking on with interest to see how the situation develops.