[Mark Gleeson]

Management and unions agree deal to end rail dispute
Eoin Burke-Kennedy

Management and unions at Iarnród Éireann have agreed proposals to end the Cork rail dispute.

The proposals, brokered under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in Mallow this evening, appear to pave the way for a resumption of train services in the south east by tomorrow afternoon.

In a statement tonight, Iarnród Éireann said a document had been agreed by management and unions to facilitate a return to work by train drivers, following disruption to services since last Thursday.

Siptu, who along with the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) represent the drivers at the centre of the row, welcomed the deal but said it would not disclose details of the agreed document until it was put to union members at a meeting in Cork tomorrow morning.

Some 70,000 passengers have been affected over the last six days by the dispute, which has seen dozens of services cancelled and cost the company more than €2 million.

Flexible working has been at the heart of the dispute. The company has said that, under existing agreements, drivers can be required to move from operating one train to another during a shift on the basis of customer need.

However, it is understood that the Cork drivers have argued that, under a local agreement, the obligation on them to move between duties "as required" only applied in emergency circumstances.

Rail services in Cork and Kerry were the worst affected today, and passengers had been advised to consult the Irish Rail website for a list of expected cancellations and operating services.

LRC facilitator Tom Pomphrett met separately with both Iarnród Éireann management and representatives of Siptu and NBRU yesterday afternoon as part of exploratory talks aimed at finding a back-to-work formula.

Talks between management and trade unions had resumed this afternoon after nearly 20 services on the Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Kerry routes were cancelled yesterday, as were all commuter services on the Cork to Cobh and Cork to Mallow lines.

© 2008 ireland.com

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/bre.../breaking1.htm