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[PRESS RELEASE] Rail Users Group Condems Unofficial Strike Action By IE Drivers

Press Release

Rail Users Group Condems Unofficial Strike Action By Iarnrod Eireann Drivers

Date: 15th May 2006
From: Derek Wheeler, PRO, Platform 11.
Contact : (086) 3452651
Issued by: Platform 11 Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

While Platform 11, Ireland Rail Users Organisation condemns todays unofficial strike action in Irish Rail, we are not shocked by the decision of some Iarnród Éireann employees to take part in this dispute.

On April 11th Platform 11 issued a press release outlining how industrial relation problems are delaying the introduction to service of Iarnród Éireann's latest intercity train (see http://www.platform11.org/media/pres...&no=pr_06.html) Iarnród Éireann in response denied any industrial relations difficulties with relation to these trains. Todays action is proof that the industrial relations problems are far from solved and Platform 11 fears have been vindicated.

Once again rail customers have been left in limbo and Platform 11 are most disappointed that knowing these problems existed Iarnród Éireann failed to keep the public informed and insisted on putting a train into service in the full knowledge that industrial relations problems existed.

The new carriages were initially planned to be entered into service in December 2005, with successive Iarnród Éireann spokesmen pushing the date back first to January, then March and finally 9am this morning. Platform 11 is calling on unions and Iarnród Éireann to find a solution to their internal dispute so that rail passengers can benefit from the first new intercity carriages since 1984.

We call on the unions to embrace investment in rail transport without using it as an excuse to seek more money for it's members. Finally, we want to remind everyone that while Iarnród Éireann give their side of the story to the media and unions do likewise, who's worrying about the commuters that will be faced with disruption? It will be left to Platform 11, as the only independent representative body for rail users, to worry about the implications of any strike action on ordinary people.

ENDS

http://www.platform11.org/media/pres...&no=pr_07.html

I know this is going to sound really anal, but there are a few spelling mistakes there, "it's" where it should be its. Iarnród and Éireann are used a few times throughout the release but are spelt differently at different points.

I'll get back in my box now.

Good release though, it's a joke how the transport unions rape this country

This just showed up on breakingnews.ie (http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/05/15/story258755.html). Good work :-)

The fadas in Iarnrod Eireann drive me mad and leaving them out avoids funny extra characters, it was written sitting in Heuston without fallback on any spell checkers

The online version has the fadas as I can get them to display right
Ireland.com running it also
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/bre.../breaking3.htm

Mark, you also often use "where" for "were" (the past tense of "are"). It's fine for posts but should really be sorted out for press releases.

well done mark and committee !!

really good press release and tracking of the issue
delighted

incidently i got the 7:45(ish) train from galway this morning - no probs - lucky me!

Quote:

Unofficial action causes major disruption to trains
From:ireland.com
Monday, 15th May, 2006

Unofficial industrial action by Irish Rail train drivers based in Cork and Dublin's Heuston Station has led to disruption of services around the country.

All services out of Cork's Kent station have been suspended, and there is only a limited inter-city service from Heuston, although there are no trains running to Cork. All Kildare suburban services have been suspended until further notice.

A number of drivers took the action this morning in protest at the introduction of a new fleet of intercity trains.

The 5.30am train from Cork to Heuston Station in Dublin was cancelled, as was the 5.45am service to Cobh, the 5.55am service to Tralee and the 7am service to Dublin. The 5.50am service to Tralee operated to Mallow only.

Services between Heuston and Portlaoise, Newbridge, Cork, Galway and Limerick have also been cancelled.

Drivers submitted a claim last September 2005 for increased pay and reduced working hours in return for driving the new trains because of a new safety regime and new training processes for new drivers.

The claim was rejected by the Labour Court in January who said the new working arrangements were allowed for in previous agreements.

Iarnród Éireann was due to begin trials today on €117 million worth of new trains aimed at improving the service on the Cork to Dublin route.

In a statement issued this morning Iarnród Éireann said: "Drivers are attempting to use a matter that the Labour Court has definitively ruled on in January, and use service improvements to customers, as leverage to secure concessions on completely separate issues. This is all the more unacceptable given the company's commitment to progress these issues substantively.

"The resolution of this dispute is in the hands of the drivers, who are currently taking this unofficial action and Iarnród Éireann has called on them to return to work and ensure that our customers are not further inconvenienced."

Rail users group Platform 11 criticised Iarnród Éireann for not addressing the industrial relations issuess sooner.

"Once again rail customers have been left in limbo and Platform 11 are most disappointed that knowing these problems existed

All services out of Cork's Kent station have been suspended, and there is only a limited inter-city service from Heuston, although there are no trains running to Cork. All Kildare suburban services have been suspended until further notice.

A number of drivers took the action this morning in protest at the introduction of a new fleet of intercity trains.

The 5.30am train from Cork to Heuston Station in Dublin was cancelled, as was the 5.45am service to Cobh, the 5.55am service to Tralee and the 7am service to Dublin. The 5.50am service to Tralee operated to Mallow only.

Services between Heuston and Portlaoise, Newbridge, Cork, Galway and Limerick have also been cancelled.

Drivers submitted a claim last September 2005 for increased pay and reduced working hours in return for driving the new trains because of a new safety regime and new training processes for new drivers.

The claim was rejected by the Labour Court in January who said the new working arrangements were allowed for in previous agreements.

Iarnród Éireann was due to begin trials today on €117 million worth of new trains aimed at improving the service on the Cork to Dublin route.

In a statement issued this morning Iarnród Éireann said: "Drivers are attempting to use a matter that the Labour Court has definitively ruled on in January, and use service improvements to customers, as leverage to secure concessions on completely separate issues. This is all the more unacceptable given the company's commitment to progress these issues substantively.

"The resolution of this dispute is in the hands of the drivers, who are currently taking this unofficial action and Iarnród Éireann has called on them to return to work and ensure that our customers are not further inconvenienced."

Rail users group Platform 11 criticised Iarnród Éireann for not addressing the industrial relations issuess sooner.

"Once again rail customers have been left in limbo and Platform 11 are most disappointed that knowing these problems existed Iarnród Éireann failed to keep the public informed and insisted of putting a train into service in the full knowledge that industrial relations problem exists," the group said in a statement.

Progressive Democrats Transport Spokesman Senator Tom Morrissey called on the drivers to return to the industrial relations process.

"An immediate solution must be found to the dispute which has resulted in the cancellation of trains without warning. Such an unofficial strike cannot be justified," he said.

"They must bear in mind that their action presents a serious inconvenience to commuters and, if it is allowed to escalate, will have a serious knock-on impact on the wider economy."

Further information is available from the Iarnród Éireann Information Line 1850-366222 or on the company's website.

Good work Derek

And where is Barry Kenny well he is in Dubai, yes the press man picked a nice day for holiday

Massive media coverage coming RTE and other outlets

Watch out for us
RTE 1pm radio and TV
Radio Kerry 1:30 pm
Today FM 5:10 pm on the last word

Ireland.com
Breakingnews.ie
Evening Echo, Cork
rte.ie

Stick it to them

Please beat a big drum on this one, this has wreaked havoc with my family life. I have no sympathy and no support for the train drivers or is it highway men and no matter how much they kick or strike; if in 4 years Irish Rail is privatised I'll be happy and thats a government promise I can really vote for. I'm am more sick of strike action than Rip Off Ireland.
If you have a dispute with your employer then hit them in the pocket, don't collect fees or drive less trains across the day,don't hijack my life. This action is obsolete in todays Ireland.

We are taking this as far as possible, remember we knew about this in April and issued a press release and a certain Irish Rail spokes person denied it

There are 4 distinct issues

1 Drivers
Sought reduced hours/higher pay
Rejected rightly by Labour Court

2 Guards
In line with European practice IE want to eliminate guards off the new trains and replace them with a train manager
Legitimate claim by unions but took far too long to resolve

3 New safety standards
Partly due to the new rail safety act and partly to formalise maters Irish Rail want to implement modern operational standards, drivers to receive a formal qualification (NVQ) and to be subject to a higher level of supervision, more frequent medicals, random drink/drugs tests etc. Note this applies across the entire company

4 Training
Drivers are now claiming lack of training on the new trains. Strange that as the control desk is the same and the locomotive on the back is the same

I'd love to sack them all but it ain't an option, privatisation is often used as a solution but the union position is so entrenched we would have to put up with strikes before that could happen, any way it would be the same staff, same agreements and managers on the far side so its no difference

Quote:

Ahern 'disappointed' at train drivers' action

15 May 2006 14:42

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said he is very disappointed at the industrial action by Irish Rail train drivers particularly in the light of huge investment which the Government has made in Iarnród Éireann.

The unofficial action by drivers based in Cork and Dublin's Heuston Station is over the introduction of new trains.

A small number of Inter City services left Heuston Station as scheduled this morning but the majority of services between Heuston and the south and west of the country have been disrupted.

Iarnród Éireann has advised people not to travel by train today unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

Passengers who need to travel have been asked to contact the company.

Iarnród Éireann's website, www.irishrail.ie, is carrying details of any changes in the company's services arising from today's industrial action.

The company has spent €117 million on 67 new carriages which it is hoped will hugely improve the frequency of its trains on the Dublin-Cork route by the end of the year.

The company had planned to introduce the first of those new trains on the route today for in-service training.

But two drivers in Cork refused to operate the new trains this morning.

The drivers have not been suspended but the company says it has told them they will not be paid until they operate the new trains.

A number of other drivers are now refusing to work in support of their colleagues.

Labour Court ruled against drivers

In January, the Labour Court ruled against drivers who were seeking a pay increase for operating the new trains.

Negotiations are continuing on other issues relating to extra money for agreeing to more stringent monitoring of driver standards and for coaching trainee drivers.

The company says it is committed to concluding an agreement on these issues but says they are not connected to the introduction of the new trains.

The drivers dispute this and say they cannot operate the new trains until an agreement has been concluded.

The drivers also say they have concerns about the training they received on the trains prior to their introduction to service.

Source: http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0515/rail.html

quite disapointed with you on the radio at one o'clock

you said the management are to blame as they failed to manage. come on ! there is only so much you can do with such a greedy union. we are all aware that they wanted a 33% rise for driving 33% longer darts. then they wanted more money for driving this new intercity trains. the labour court said hang on you already agreed to drive the trains. stop blaming management !! even if they waited till jesus himself arose , the union would still go on strike. oh and i was meant to get a 7 oclock to cork , <Admin EDIT> furious.

ADMIN: Please do not curse on our forum.

Simple issue is the passenger doesn't care once the trains show up

IE knew as early as last Wednesday that the driver of the 5:30 Cork Dublin would refuse to drive the CDE set, in fact there is no one in Cork willing to drive the new train in service, you don't need much thought to realise that would lead to chaos in Cork. Management knew this irrespective of the right or wrongs of there actions, you may be right but it doesn't imply its the right thing to do, as I was often told with respect to road safety no point being in the right and getting killed

The fact Irish Rail denied there was an issue when questioned is there a problem? You ask a straight question you deserve an answer.

The real truth has yet to come out but we all know its got nothing to do with the new trains, the unions are using the new trains as a bargaining tool, should the train go into service yes, but should it enter service if there is a reasonable chance you will have a walkout clearly not

Quote:

I think it needs to be clarified that platform 11 completely oppose this strike as the article above fails to reflect the group stance

Quote:

Originally Posted by why_does_planning_suck

ADMIN: Please do not curse on our forum.

apologies for cursing. heuston's ticket staff just put me in such a temper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

should it enter service if there is a reasonable chance you will have a walkout clearly not

I suppose you are right and that is sensible. But when it comes to public opinion you will have twenty seconds to get your point of view across through media outlets today. People won't be looking for a nuanced opinion. People want to know who is at fault , so they can heap scorn on them. So pick a side and vilify it.

hey why_does_planning_suck
feel free to tell your story - i have set up a special thread for anyone affected by this strike to let everyone know how this things affect real people

go to
Customer Issues Forum ->
Regional and intercity customer service issues ->
Strike - Have you been inconvenienced???? Tell us about it!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin K Kelehan

I think it needs to be clarified that platform 11 completely oppose this strike as the article above fails to reflect the group stance

The headline on the website is pretty clear:

'
Rail Users Group Condems Unofficial Strike Action By Iarnród Éireann Drivers'

Quote:

Originally Posted by why_does_planning_suck

People want to know who is at fault , so they can heap scorn on them. So pick a side and vilify it.

That is an excellent point. The problem is, the public can hate the unions all they like, the unions won't care. If you can get the public to direct anger to management / government, change is more likely to follow through.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Mulcahy

yes unions won't care , but i disagree with your conclusion. If you attack the unions then the next time (and there WILL be a next time!) it gives the management a freer hand. A union can only block some many things before people lose all sympathy. And from what i have read over the years : this is entirely the union wanting its cake and to eat it to.

And given that the unions delayed the rollout of the dart to greystones/malahide and then wanted more money for the longer dart , and then this. It is clear that there is a basic power struggly between the two. It also needs to be resolved before the kildare 4 tracking and the interconnector come on board.At that stage the entire city will rely completely on I.E. - do your bit to nip this in the bud !!