Empty platforms at Kent Station this morning. Video: Larry Cummins
TRAINS from Cobh, Mallow and Midleton were among the busy Cork routes affected by this morning’s three hour rail strike.
Intensive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission yesterday failed to resolve the dispute, according to National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) president and Cork bus driver John Moloney.
He said he had initially been hopeful of a resolution but it soon became apparent that there was little chance of heading off stalemate. He added that the last thing that rail workers wanted was to disrupt passengers.
SIPTU insists that Irish Rail management has not adequately addressed the issue of pay increases for past productivity delivered by union members.
Irish Rail hit back at the unions, saying that they had rejected proposals which would have delivered increases in earnings for drivers of almost 8%, between February next year and January 2018.
A second strike is set to take place on Friday, November 6, from 6am to 9am.
Empty platforms at Kent Station this morning. Picture: Larry Cummins