Train services have returned to normal after locomotive drivers at Iarnrod Eireann's Connolly station voted to return to work. The Labour Relations Commission will oversee tomorrow's talks between unions and the company to resolve the dispute over merger plans for two drivers' depots. Train drivers voted to defer the strike action, which began this morning, at a meeting with their union representatives. Thousands of commuters were effected by the action, which followed drivers' rejection of a proposal to amalgamate two depots at Connolly station.
This morning inter-city routes to Belfast, Sligo, Westport, Galway and Rosslare were either cancelled or curtailed. Dublin's outer suburban services to and from Dundalk, Drogheda and Maynooth were also affected. This afternoon, there were no services to and from Maynooth and only 50% of trains are operating from Drogheda, while many mainline services from the regions are stopped before reaching Dublin. Trains from Sligo were only going as far as Mullingar or Edgeworthstown; services from Rosslare as far as Greystones, Enniscorthy or Arklow; and services from Westport as far as Athlone. Galway trains were also seriously curtailed. However, the DART commuter service was not affected.
The dispute centres over a decision by drivers to reject a proposal to amalgamate two depots at Connolly station. The 65 drivers at Connolly station are split into two depots, those who drive on Northern routes and those who travel West and on some Southern routes. Iarnrod Eireann wants these two sets of drivers to amalgamate but drivers rejected the proposal and issued a strike notice last month. Earlier, a strike was averted by a compromise proposal, which was since been turned down by the drivers without a ballot.
