[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