Train services grind to a halt
More strike days down the line
RAIL passengers across County Wexford 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 tomorrow (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 Enniscorthy train station to talk to commuters on Friday and, while the planned strikes themselves didn’t appear to be too much of a cause for concern, mooted plans to permanently shut down the route from Gorey to Rosslare was a real worry.
Georgina Ahuir from Solsboro 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.’
Although not regular train users, Arthur and Bridget Murphy from Clonroche were off on a trip to Greystones.
‘I can’t say that the strike would have much impact on us,’ said Bridget.
‘We don’t use the train that often. It would be terrible to see them take this line away completely though. I’d be sad to see it go.’
Speaking just before she boarded the train to Dublin, Susan Dunne from Enniscorthy said she was braced for disruption.
‘I use the train to get up and down to Dublin every week,’ she said. ‘The strikes are definitely going to have a big impact on my travel plans. I don’t know what will happen.’
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