There is a renewed threat to DART services on Monday following the unexpected cancellation of talks on a review of pay and working conditions for drivers.
Drivers are threatening unofficial action over management's decision not to enter talks on a new viability plan. Iarnrod Eireann has notified the unions that it plans to begin training new drivers in the near future.
One driver said that if the company was `not prepared to talk about the viability plan "we will have to go out the gate. It is the only language they understand."
Referring to the issue of trainee drivers, which has twice been deferred on the eve of threatened strikes, he said: "Drivers are mentally exhausted by the company's tactics."
Over 300 gatekeepers at level crossings have voted overwhelmingly for a strike over pay. Their union, SIPTU, is expected to sanction industrial action for next month. If it went ahead all mainline services would be affected.
Talks on a viability plan for DART drivers were due to begin on Monday. It had been assumed that the outstanding issue of direct recruitment of trainee drivers would be dealt with in an overall review of pay and working conditions under this plan.
However, Iarnrod Eireann is understood to have notified the unions, SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers' Union that it is not willing to enter talks on the viability plan while drivers refuse to accept the new trainees.
The company's human resources manager, Mr John Keenan, has told the unions that the company proposed to start training for eight people over a 16-week period. He said last night that he intended writing to them reiterating the company's willingness to give existing drivers the £8,000 ex-gratia payments recommended by the Labour Court.
He would also be asking them to review their position., However, he added that no further payments could be made as the court's award had been made in full and final settlement of the claim. The DART drivers have threatened action without reference to their unions.
SIPTU branch secretary, Mr Tony Tobin, said the company's constant change of position on fundamental issues suggested that management had no agreed plan.