Second rail strike expected to cause more chaos

COMMUTERS can expect another day of widespread traffic delays on Tuesday when staff at Irish Rail go on strike for a second time.

The 24-hour stoppage is set to coincide with the end of the school mid-term break which is likely to put extra pressure on the overstrained bus network and push up the number of cars on roads.

Unions representing staff at Irish Rail have been in negotiations with the Stateowned rail operator for months.

They are seeking a pay rise of about 3.75% per annum. Irish Rail offered a 1.75% pay rise for one year, coupled with efficiency improvements. The company said it was committed to discussing more substantive productivity issues to fund further improvements in pay beyond this year.

However, the group of unions at the company – Siptu, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), Unite, the TSSA and TEEU – rejected the offer and voted for industrial action.

Irish Rail has said it regrets the decision by the unions and pointed out every day of strike action costs the company an estimated €900,000. The company has already accumulated losses of €160m and is facing insolvency.

In addition to this Tuesday, further dates already listed for strike action are Tuesday, November 14, the day Ireland face Denmark in a World Cup qualifier play-off match; Thursday, November 23; and Friday, December 8, traditionally the date rural shoppers travel to Dublin for Christmas shopping.

Unions have warned of an escalation in the run-up to Christmas and into the New Year.

It is understood that 48-hour stoppages are planned on weekends towards the end of December. There have been calls for the unions and Irish Rail to return to the Workplace Relations Commission in an effort to reach an agreement.

Last night, a Fine Gael minister said he believes Transport Minister Shane Ross should intervene personally with rail unions to try and head off the coming strike.

‘I believe Shane has to do more to stop this strike going ahead, it badly affects his popularity as it continues deeper into winter. And when it starts to affect our popularity as a whole, it will be a big problem,’ they said.

‘Other departments, like Health, have done everything they can to head off public sector strikes. And they have. But Shane Ross doesn’t seem to mind them going ahead. Many of us are surprised at this.’

But senior sources at the Department of Transport said Mr Ross will not be intervening. He continues to urge the two sides to enter the Workplace Relations Commission.