Updated 10.20

TRAIN STRIKES PLANNED for the next fortnight look set to go ahead after the collapse of talks between Iarnród Éireann and the trade unions representing drivers.

It had been hoped that the discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission would find a resolution to the dispute over a desire to have past productivity discussed.

The industrial action led by the NBRU and SIPTU will now go ahead next Friday 23 October and the following week, Friday 6 November.

This will see work stoppages by drivers for three hours on both days from 6am to 9am.

Discussions

Talks broke down last night shortly after 2am.

Iarnród Éireann has said in a statement that it had tabled measures that would have introduced phased productivity which would have brought about an earnings increase for drivers.

This would have been delivered through a productivity allowance payable to drivers and commencing from January 2016 and increasing annually after that along with productivity.

The company has said that the strikes will bring a “worsening of the company’s finances, impacting on the interests of customers and employees alike”.

In a statement on the breakdown of talks, general secretary of the NBRU, Dermot O’Leary, said, “Despite the best efforts of the Workplace Relations Commission we were unable to reach an agreement on the issues at the centre of the dispute.

“We, for our part sought to have the issue of previous contributions by train drivers dealt with in a way that would, if satisfactorily addressed have allowed for the possibility of further discussions on the whole range of issues around the productivity agenda.”

Disrupted services

The strike action will disrupt DART, commuter and Intercity services on both days.

Iarnród Éireann has said that there is likely to be a knock-on effect to a number of other commuter services.

- First published 07.50