A ballot which was expected to see train drivers at Irish Rail back an all-out strike was postponed on Wednesday due to the adverse weather. The two unions, which represent the 500 drivers at the company, have balloted their members for all-out strike action in a dispute over the mentoring of new driving staff. The train drivers are widely expected to vote in favour of an all-out strike. Train drivers overwhelmingly rejected a deal in January which would have seen them receive a 1.15 per cent pay rise for past productivity in return for co-operation in mentoring about 30 new drivers. Management also said that from that time, it would amend drivers’ terms and conditions “to reflect the fact that the mentoring of trainee drivers is a requirement of the role of train drivers, eliminating any suggestion that this task is voluntary in nature”.

Source: The Irish Times February 28, 2018 16:18 UTC