Cork rail stoppage deferred pending talks

An unofficial work stoppage by rail maintenance staff which led to the disruption of mainline and commuter services in Cork for an estimated 5,000 passengers has been suspended pending talks in Cork today between union representatives and management.

Some 19 Iarnród Éireann permanent way staff based at Kent Station in Cork involved in track maintenance began the unofficial stoppage after being asked by management to carry out track renewal work in the station.

Siptu assistant branch organiser Paul Depuis said there are two permanent way gangs based in Cork who carry out track maintenance work and a further two permanent way gangs based in Mallow contracted to carry out track renewal work.

"Yesterday morning the maintenance gangs in Cork were asked to do renewal work which they refused to do on the basis that they never do renewals work without being accompanied by a renewals gang," he said. "My understanding is that they pleaded with management not to press ahead with ordering them to do renewals work without the renewals gang and they were told that if they didn't do the work, they wouldn't be paid and that was the basis of the dispute yesterday."

Mr Depuis said he was hopeful the discussions between the union and management today would resolve the dispute but if it failed to do so, negotiations would then take place at national level.

The stoppage affected some 44 commuter services between Cork and Cobh and Cork and Mallow. It also led to disruption of some mainline services out of Cork.