Irish Rail Strikes Look Set to Happen After Talks Break Down

Bad news if you’re planning on heading home for the Bank Holiday Weekend… Iarnród Éireann has said that SIPTU and NBRU train drivers will strike next Friday (October 23^rd) and the following Friday (November 6^th) after talks between unions and the Workplace Relations Commission broke down. The discussions were held on Friday and ran into the early hours of Saturday morning but unfortunately no agreement was reached. In a statement, Iarnród Éireann said: "As a result, the threatened industrial action by drivers on Friday 23^rd October and Friday 6^thNovember seems set to take place, and we apologise to customers for the disruption which would result. "This is despite proposals being tabled, which the company was willing to implement, which would have seen phased productivity measures introduced and implemented and an earnings increase for drivers in tandem with their implementation." "The industrial action by SIPTU and NBRU train drivers will see no train services (DART, Commuter or Intercity) operate between 06.00hrs and 09.00hrs on Friday 23^rd October and Friday 6^th November, and the likelihood of significant disruption beyond these times due to the knock-on effect of this strike action." This industrial action will impact on DART, Commuter or Intercity train services. Irish Rail has said they will be working to clarify details regarding disruptions.