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

[Mark Gleeson]

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

[bigjim]

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

[markpb]

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

[Mark Gleeson]

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

[wwhyte]

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.

[Donal Quinn]

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!

[Kevin K Kelehan]

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