Unions and management at Iarnród Éireann have been invited to talks in Cork on Monday by civic and Church leaders. The talks are aimed at securing a resumption of rail services between Cobh and Arklow to facilitate the reopening of the IFI plant there, as well as attempting to resolve the overall dispute. The talks will take place at Cork City Hall at 3.00pm. Earlier today, the Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission, Kieran Mulvey, said that he would be inviting SIPTU, the National Bus and Railworkers' Union and the management of Iarnród Éireann for exploratory talks on Monday on the disruption caused to the IFI plant. The fertiliser factory has been closed because it cannot receive ammonia supplies by rail. Mr Mulvey said that it was now time for all sides to get down to serious negotiations.
The latest efforts follow yesterday's refusal by SIPTU drivers to operate the special ammonia trains between Cork and Arklow. After a two-hour meeting in Cork, the drivers said that the decision was taken out of loyalty to their colleagues in the breakaway Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association. The dispute has led to 200 lay-offs at the IFI plant. Members of the ILDA offered to work the ammonia trains on their old rosters but this was rejected by Iarnród Éireann. The company does not recognise the ILDA which began this dispute four weeks ago over rosters and work practices.
Meanwhile, commuters face further disruption of weekend train services but all mainline trains are continuing to operate on a limited basis.
