Day two of rail strike under way
| 07 Nov 2017 17:05 |
| Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has urged all sides in the rail dispute to engage with the Workplace Relations Commission or the Labour Court to try to bring an end to the ongoing strike action. |
| Mr Varadkar said the dispute, like all strikes "will be resolved in the normal way using the auspices of the State, through the Workplace Relations Commission and if needs be the Labour Court". |
| He said: "I'd encourage both unions and the management to engage with the WRC or the Labour Court and let’s have this strike settled". |
| Rail services around the country are at a standstill today, as Iarnród Éireann staff hold their second 24-hour strike over pay. |
| More than 150,000 people are being forced to make alternative travel arrangements, while the stoppage will also hit company revenue and workers' wages. |
| There has been no sign of any breakthrough that might bridge the gap between the two sides. |
| Minister for Transport Shane Ross described the strike as unnecessary and also urged unions and management to enter talks. |
| On his way into Cabinet this morning, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan urged both sides to get back around the negotiating table. |
| Today's stoppage is the second of five scheduled by unions in pursuit of a no-strings attached pay rise of 3.75% a year. |
| However, the Iarnród Éireann insists the union claim would cost €43 million over three years and push the already vulnerable company into insolvency. |
| Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive David Franks has warned staff it could become a prolonged dispute, which would be costly for the company, staff and customers alike. |
| Striking workers say it appears to them that the minister is more interested in Manchester United and North Korea than the rail strike pic.twitter.com/nHdH0vpP5w |
| Mr Franks has urged unions to return to the Labour Court to resolve outstanding issues. |
| However, there is no sign of any breakthrough and unions have not ruled out an escalation of industrial action in the run-up to Christmas. |
| SIPTU representatives have called on Iarnród Éireann management to desist from sending letters to workers which could be perceived as threatening their livelihoods. |
| Divisional Organiser Greg Ennis said members received a letter yesterday from Mr Franks "which many saw as threatening their livelihoods and the future of the company. |
| "Such an approach has only strengthened the resolve and commitment of our members to continue their industrial action until all sides agree a just resolution," he added. |
