INTERCITY and DART trains could face disruption next week because of a dispute over rostering and new schedules. Train-drivers reacted angrily yesterday to an announcement by Iarnrod Eireann that it was introducing new schedules from Tuesday.
Under existing agreements, the company is supposed to notify drivers of new rosters three weeks in advance. However, drivers say the first they knew of the changes was when copies of the new timetables were handed out to passengers yesterday morning. Drivers say the new schedules will involve an earlier starting time and a deterioration in working conditions.
The unions sought an immediate meeting with Iarnrod Eireann yesterday afternoon. The two sides met for several hours and are meeting again today.
A spokesman for the National Bus and Rail Union said last night that the situation was "very simple". "Procedures have to be followed. The schedules will have to be withdrawn until we have been properly consulted. The company would be the first people to criticise us if we did something like this."
A company spokesman said it was "hopeful that the process can be brought to a satisfactory resolution in the morning and we can proceed with the changes in the timetable, which is in response to customer demand".