Westport train drivers' strike action averted

A strike by train drivers in Westport, Co Mayo has been called off after members of the unions involved accepted management proposals…

A strike by train drivers in Westport, Co Mayo has been called off after members of the unions involved accepted management proposals to settle the dispute.

The drivers had been due to resume strike action at midnight in a dispute over pay and rosters.

The unofficial dispute involved four members of SIPTU and two members of the ATGWU. Two one-day stoppages last month disrupted the travel plans of 2,000 passengers to the West.

In a joint statement issued this evening, the ATGWU and SIPTU drivers apologised to passengers who had been inconvenienced by the work disruptions.

The statement said Iarnrod Eireann had confirmed the Westport drivers would receive all monies owing to them, under the terms of the settlement.

The drivers were in dispute with Iarnród Éireann over a €100-a-week pay rise. They also claimed that the company owed them €11,000 in back pay under the a nationally-agreed roster. The company had refused to make payments without changes to the roster for drivers based in Westport.

Services operated as normal last weekend after talks between unions and Iarnród Éireann were scheduled.

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Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times