While the European Central Bank was presenting its new currency to the world yesterday, CIÉ unions were polishing up a series of multi-million-pound (sorry, euro) pay claims for handling it.
The first demand for compensation was already winging its way to CIÉ from the general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers' Union, Mr Liam Tobin, yesterday. He has over 2,000 members in CIÉ, most of whom will be engaged in the euro changeover. The biggest single group is the NBRU's 900 drivers in Bus Éireann.
Other unions are following close behind. The general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, Mr Roger Hannon, which represents the majority of CIE clerical workers, said he was already under pressure from members in Iarnrod Éireann to hold a ballot on the issue of withdrawing co-operation from the conversion to the euro before a claim is even served.
Such action would include withdrawal of co-operation in changes to the company's computer system. A boycott at this stage could paralyse efforts by Iarnród Éireann to prepare for conversion in January.
Senior CIÉ management made it clear last night that it would resist the euro claims, although these are likely to be fought on a company-by-company basis.
Iarnród Éireann's human resources manager, Mr John Keenan, said the claims were "a clear breach of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness".
A Bus Éireann spokesman, Mr Cyril McIntyre, said no claim had been received yet, but he could not see any basis for the claim.
"Staff are paid to handle cash, and that's it. Everyone in the country will have to get used to handling the euro," he said.
A Dublin Bus spokesman, Mr Christy Dorman, said staff were already being paid extra to deal with change.
SIPTU may see it differently. It has already given branches a 6 per cent guideline, and claims are to be lodged in the banking and retail sectors over the next few weeks.
A 6 per cent increase in CIÉ's payroll would cost the company almost £17 million a year. Applied only to staff directly affected, such as drivers, station staff and clerical workers, it is still likely to cost the company up to £10 million.
It will take considerable effort and negotiating skills on both sides if the claims are to be settled in time for CIÉ members to accept payment, in punts.