DART testing delayed by 24 hours amid row
Monday, 15 August 2005 22:20
Iarnród Éireann has said it will defer training and testing for drivers on new longer DART trains for 24 hours to allow unions to consult with members over the changes.
The deferral of the process, which was to start tomorrow, emerged after emergency talks between the company and union officials ended this evening.
A dispute over the changes that threatens to disrupt DART services centres on claims by DART drivers that they are entitled to a pay rise for driving longer trains.
The Labour Court has already ruled against the claim but drivers are expected to reject this ruling when results of a ballot held at the weekend are released this evening.
If the court ruling is rejected in the vote, it could lead to a further ballot for industrial action.
In advance of today's talks, the company had feared that unofficial action during the now deferred training and testing period could disrupt services as early as this week.
The new eight-carriage trains are being introduced as part of a ¤250 million upgrade of the system.
The two-year upgrading work is due for completion in September.
- Morning Ireland: Willie Noone of SIPTU & Iarnród Éireann's Barry Kenny discuss a demand from DART drivers to be paid more for driving longer trains
- Nine News: Vivienne Traynor reveals the dispute centres on DART drivers' claims that they are entitled to a pay rise for driving longer trains
- Six One News: Vivienne Traynor reports on the row between DART drivers and Iarnród Éireann over the introduction of longer trains
- One News: Vivienne Traynor reports that SIPTU members are seeking a pay increase to take on extra carriages introduced as part of the DART upgrade
