The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland is advising members suffering financial losses as a result of the rail dispute to consider taking legal action against the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association.
Its chief executive, Mr Simon Nugent, described the closure of the Irish Fertiliser Industries plant in Arklow yesterday as "the final straw" by the ILDA. He claimed its actions were "reckless and irresponsible" and showed little regard for the workers in the company.
Meanwhile the chairman of Wicklow County Council, Mr Pat Doyle, is expected to hold separate meetings with the executive secretary of the ILDA, Mr Brendan Ogle, and with Iarnrod Eireann and the two recognised unions, in an effort to find a settlement to the three-week rail dispute. The council suspended normal business yesterday to discuss the closure of the IFI plant and the lay-off of nearly 200 workers.
The Arklow plant could reopen within two days according to its manager, Mr Billy Flood, if supplies of ammonia could be guaranteed.
The council is examining if this could be done by sea or road. However neither option is likely to be viable in the short term.
SIPTU shop steward Mr Tim Thornton at the IFI plant in Arklow appealed to SIPTU members at Kent Station in Cork to ensure supplies of ammonia if ILDA drivers would not return to work.
No comment was available from the ILDA yesterday.