The Taoiseach has called on the ATGWU to call off its disruptive strike action in Iarnród Éireann. Bertie Ahern said that the strike was not only damaging to the travelling public, but to the public transport system and the trade union movement. Mr Ahern was speaking in the Dáil on the second day of the strike, which has caused more transport havoc with the cancellation of train services to and from the South and Midlands. The union is due to meet the Congress of Trade Unions for crucial talks on the strike tomorrow.
Striking train drivers have said that they are prepared to continue their dispute for as long as it takes them to secure union recognition. The drivers have been picketing rail stations throughout Munster and the Midlands today. Most Intercity and commuter routes to and from Heuston Station in Dublin have been affected by the strike, which is now in its second day. DART services in the capital are, however, running normally. The latest pickets have affected the travel plans of an estimated 25,000 people.
Last summer, a strike by the ILDA, again over recognition, dragged on over ten weeks. Iarnród Éireann insists that it will not negotiate with the ATGWU, which now represents the former ILDA train drivers. The Congress of Trade Unions has said that the strike is wrong and should be called off. Congress has arranged a hearing on the dispute for tomorrow. The drivers' union, the ATGWU, says that it will attend, but has indicated that it does not hold out any hope of an early resolution.
The dispute is due to spread to the Northwest tomorrow, before starting over again next week. It now seems that a protracted dispute is unavoidable, creating more frustration and inconvenience for rail passengers.
