The dispute is over new drivers
Iarnród Éireann has said that it will be seeking clarification tomorrow from the Labour Court over the dispute with drivers which is threatening DART services this week. The company says that it has an agreement to deploy eight new drivers to test new trains. But, the DART drivers have let it be known that there will be industrial action if the drivers are introduced. They say agreement has only been reached on deploying five drivers. They have threatened to walk out if further drivers are introduced.
Iarnród Éireann's John Keenan said that he understood the Labour Relations Commission would bring management and union leaders together tomorrow. However he said that this would only be to deal with last week's decision by DART drivers to vote against a wider package of proposals involving roster changes. Mr Keenan earlier claimed that the drivers are simply using the introduction of new drivers tomorrow to gain leverage in the over-all negotiations. He repeated tonight that he could not see a role for the Commission in relation to the deployment of new drivers as a deal already existed.
