The Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann has warned staff that a "prolonged" and "damaging" dispute is now becoming possible - and has urged them to return to the Labour Court to resolve it.
David Franks' warning to the company’s 3,800 employees comes as staff prepare to hold a second day of strike action tomorrow in a row over pay.
He warned that a lengthy dispute would damage customers, the company, and workers' income.
He expressed disappointment that since last week's one-day strike, there has been no formal communication from the union side, despite the company's willingness to refer outstanding issues back to the Labour Court.
He warned that a prolonged dispute will cost each employee thousands of euro, and "completely undermine" the company's ability to fund any increase in earnings.
He referred to recent disputes in other transport companies, noting that a failure to engage can lead to a lengthy stoppage, totalling many weeks in lost pay.
He stated: "Despite our financial predicament, we want to be in a position to deliver an improvement in earnings to you.
"We do not want you to suffer further losses and to see your job security threatened through insolvency. It is now time for our trade unions to join with the company in seeking a referral to the Labour Court, and I ask you to support this approach."
The company has advised customers that trains are not expected to operate across Intercity, DART and commuter routes tomorrow due to the industrial action.
Management said it regrets the decision by the company's trade unions, to schedule five 24-hour strikes during November and December.
It said as over 150,000 journeys are made on the network daily, it is not possible to provide alternative transport on dates of industrial action.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has appealed for both the company and unions to "engage realistically and constructively" in negotiations to address the dispute.
In a statement this afternoon, Mr Ross said: "I sincerely call on all parties to the Iarnród Éireann pay dispute to continue to use the services of the Labour Court and the WRC.
"It is vital for the travelling public - and also for the staff and for the company itself - that public transport is sustained, and that the dispute is resolved in a realistic, fair and workable manner".
- Shane Ross
No rail services will operate on 14 November, 23 November and 8 December.
14 November is the date of Ireland’s World Cup play off game against Denmark in Dublin while 8 December is traditionally a large pre-Christmas shopping day.
Iarnród Éireann said passengers will be entitled to refunds for monthly, annual and other tickets.
The announcement of strikes was made after a collapse of talks at the Workplace Relations Commission over pay.
Unions had sought annual pay increases of about 3.75% - similar to the rises secured by workers at Dublin Bus and Luas after strikes last year.
In a statement, Iarnród Éireann management said it regrets the decision by the company’s trade unions.
It said the effect will be disruption to customers, loss of pay for its employees, a weakening of the company's finances which has accumulated loses of €160m, and a reduction of its ability to address the pay claim.
