Train drivers angry at extra services

DART train drivers have voted in favour of striking over proposed rosters for a service every ten minutes on Sundays.

Siptu, one of the trade unions representing drivers, say their members returned a ‘unanimous’ ballot in favour of taking strike action, should Irish Rail proceed to introduce the rosters next month.

The company announced late last year it wanted to introduce a more frequent DART service, which included a train every ten minutes on Sundays.

Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union has voiced concerns about the change.

Siptu organiser Paul Cullen said: ‘Our members see the introduction of a tenminute DART service as an issue which should be an integral part of discussions on increasing productivity. The failure of the company to effectively engage in such productivity discussions resulted in industrial action by all train drivers in Irish Rail during October and November 2015.

‘Introducing these rosters in April, as management is threatening, would be seen by our members as a deeply unfortunate and provocative move.’