The train drivers' dispute that has disrupted Dublin mainline and outer suburban services was due to end at 4 a.m. today. Iarnrod Eireann drivers who have traditionally worked exclusively on the Dublin-Belfast line have agreed in principle to operate on suburban routes to Maynooth and Bray as well.
Their decision followed a tense three-hour meeting with senior trade union officials yesterday. The strike caused severe disruption to over 30,000 commuters.
Both sides are to meet at the Labour Relations Commission at 11 a.m. today to begin negotiations on more flexible work practices. The negotiators will report back on progress to their respective unions on Tuesday.
The problems that sparked yesterday's strike revolve around Connolly No 1 depot where 31 drivers are located. Although it is adjacent to Connolly No 2 depot where 36 drivers are based, those in No 1 depot have always resisted efforts to make them amalgamate duties with the larger depot.
They have what is known as "office hours" in Iarnrod Eireann, operating between 6 a.m. and midnight. Drivers in No 2 depot have night duty, driving freight trains, as well as day duty driving passenger trains.
Connolly No 2 depot is the only depot, apart from Sligo, where Iarnrod Eireann has not negotiated a new annualised hours contract based on a five-day week with SIPTU and National Bus and Railworkers' Union. As a result of yesterday's meeting, the Connolly No 1 drivers have agreed in principle to work on the Maynooth to Bray routes, subject to acceptable rosters being devised.
Last night NBRU assistant general secretary Mr Liam Tobin said the drivers' gesture had provided the company with an opportunity to resolve a long-running dispute. However he warned that talks at the LRC could prove "very difficult", although he hoped for a successful conclusion.
SIPTU industrial group secretary Mr Noel Dowling said a challenge faced both sides to find socially acceptable rosters. There was no deadline for talks to conclude but they would continue at an intensive level until a solution was found.
The company's human resources manager, Mr John Keenan, also welcomed the lifting of strike action. He said that resolution of the Connolly No 2 depot problems would allow a national ballot of drivers on the new working week to be concluded.
However, drivers in the recently formed Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association have challenged the status of the negotiations in the High Court. The ILDA also represents most of the drivers in Sligo, who are seeking £25,000 each before accepting new contracts.