[article] Train roster row and line plan set to derail services

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Times

CHRIS ASHMORE and TIM O'BRIEN

ONGOING DISRUPTION to Iarnród Éireann services as a result of industrial action is set to be exacerbated by service restrictions at Heuston station, over coming weeks.

Concern about deteriorating passenger services was expressed yesterday by the passenger body, Rail Users Ireland. This came after it emerged that the unofficial union action is set to clash with service restrictions as part of the €400 million Kildare Route Project. The scheme aims to establish four lines between Dublin and Kildare but the company said weekend disruption could be expected due to necessary engineering works.

Last weekend the unofficial action spread from the Dublin to Cork and Kerry lines, affecting routes to Sligo and Belfast.

The dispute involves drivers refusing to operate expanded services in Iarnród Éireann's new timetable, as part of a wider dispute over long-term efficiencies.

Talks took place yesterday between Iarnród Éireann management and Siptu and NBRU representatives in a bid to resolve differences about train drivers' weekend rosters but the process was said to be ongoing.

Over the weekend, many passengers arrived at stations only to find that services had been cancelled, rescheduled or replaced either partly or entirely by buses.

The bulk of the alterations were on the Dublin-Connolly to Sligo and Dublin-Connolly to Belfast routes. Services on the Cork to Dublin-Heuston line and between Mallow and Tralee were also disrupted.

The introduction of a new timetable - with an increase in the number of trains being run - has led to some difficulties with train crew rosters. Drivers at a number of depots have decided not to work their scheduled rest days.

Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland claims there is a shortage of drivers.

Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny admitted that absences were not being covered at some depots and that some drivers have been operating the old weekend rosters rather than those set out under the 2008 timetable.

He denied that there was a shortage of drivers. However, he acknowledged that there was a "potential for impact" on passenger services if the situation was not resolved.

© 2008 The Irish Times

[Mark Gleeson]

As always the reality distortion field is in full swing, so IE say they are not short drivers but expect staff to work rest days. The only reason to work rest days is since there aren't enough drivers.

http://www.railusers.ie/news/news.ph...2008&no=3.html

If every depot had a full contingent of drivers there wouldn't be any cancellations. Obviously as more and more trains arrive and more lines open the problem can only get worse

Curiously despite denying it Irish Rail are looking to almost double the number of staff qualified to drive.

[ThomasJ]

Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny admitted that absences were not being covered at some depots and that some drivers have been operating the old weekend rosters rather than those set out under the 2008 timetable.

But some of the cancellations listed are to services that are older than last December.

Also if they are using the old timetable, why not run the 17:15 Connolly Longford [saturday] service that was cancelled in the 2008 timetable?

[Mark Gleeson]

The only real roster issue is Cork - Dublin on a Sunday since it requires 1 extra driver to cover, as in there aren't enough staff to actually run the 2008 timetable

Note the 6:30 Portlaoise Dublin and 17:35 Dublin Carlow are weekday trains and don't run due to lack of drivers

[dowlingm]

If union-management relations weren't already so borked, I'd suggest using the driver shortage as an opportunity to break the closed shop and attract in drivers from Britain so they can be brought on-line more quickly than ab initio ticket checkers and platform sweepers.

(drivers from NI would cause trouble with Translink and with hopes for an improved Enterprise best to keep them onside )