[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Examiner

Picket halts work on rail track

By Sean O’Riordan
CONSTRUCTION of the largest commuter railway project outside of Dublin has been put in jeopardy by an unofficial picket that is preventing Iarnród Éireann from laying the track.

More than a dozen members of the company’s line inspection staff have mounted the picket on the Cork-Midleton line, which is due to open next spring at a cost of €105 million.

Earlier this month, the rail workers went to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) claiming it was their job to lay the track. However, the LRC decided the work should be carried out by the appointed contractor and staff at Iarnród Éireann’s new works’ department.


Following concern that line inspection staff might interrupt the work, Iarnród Éireann management returned to the LRC again last week to reaffirm the ruling.

Despite the confirmation, around 13 workers mounted a round-the-clock picket for the past three days on the existing railway track at Glounthaune.

It has prevented a special train, loaded with track, from entering the construction area.

“A number of individuals have broken ranks with their union and mounted this picket. This is an unofficial protest which shows little regard for their colleagues, the taxpayer and the community which is awaiting the reopening of this commuter line,” an Iarnród Éireann spokesman said.

He said those involved in the protest had been taken off the payroll following “their quite unacceptable action”.

The spokesman said: “Every day this happens will delay the opening date of this much-needed commuter service.”

Iarnród Éireann management said they were also concerned the picket will extend to disrupt planned works on upgrading the Cork-Cobh railway line. The company is proposing to start modernising facilities along the line next month.

The project includes upgrading 11 platforms at six stations along the route, and improve accessibility for mobility-impaired customers.

Costing €5m, that work will take more than a month to complete. “Those involved have indicated that they will behave in a similar fashion to stop that work from happening,” the Iarnród Éireann spokesman added.

The company has not indicated what it intends to do to remove the picket. However, it has been in contact with workers union SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) in an attempt to defuse the situation.

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