Talks move to avoid rail chaos

NEGOTIATIONS were ongoing last night between train drivers and Irish Rail in a desperate bid to avoid travel chaos as unions threaten to bring the country’s train network to a halt.

Company representatives were locked in talks at the Workplace Relations Commission with representatives from the two drivers unions – the National Bus and Rail Union and Siptu.

The talks – in their second day – are trying to resolve a row over a Labour Court recommendation that the union members have rejected and demands for driver training.

Siptu is balloting its members who drive intercity and Dart trains while the NBRU is balloting all of its driver members. And despite being committed to the talks at hand, the unions are continuing to conduct their ballots.

It’s understood the issue of a reduction in the working week is one of the central issues of these negotiations.

This disagreement comes after a Labour Court recommendation offering drivers – among other things – a 1.15% pay increase in return for a driver training scheme.

This offer was rejected, but Irish Rail recently wrote to employees to inform them that ‘all elements’ would be ‘implemented’, and the company has begun to ask workers to volunteer to participate in the driver training programme.

The latest wrangle comes as the Irish Daily Mail yesterday revealed that the NBRU is seeking legal advice in relation to the gift voucher debacle that saw drivers react angrily after being offered a €500 Dunnes Stores voucher as a ‘goodwill gesture’ from a separate Labour Court recommendation.

Many had been expecting a ‘One4All’ voucher and workers were told that in order to receive the Dunnes vouchers they must set up a company email address.

Just 2% of members have issues with registering for this.