Iarnrod Eireann has said it is "optimistic" that DART services will operate as scheduled today, writes Tim O'Brien. The company said threats of disruption to services stemmed from a "misunderstanding" which it is confident has since been rectified.
The misunderstanding related to the requirement that drivers work some of their rest days while new drivers are being trained, to facilitate a transfer from six and seven-day rostering to five-day rostering.
Following negotiations between drivers and management, the drivers' unions, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and SIPTU, issued a joint circular to their members. It points out that in return for the early implementation of pay and compensation benefits, DART drivers will co-operate with some rest-day working.
Following the circular the company issued a statement "acknowledging the misunderstanding" and requesting the drivers "to provide the additional level of co-operation necessary." A spokesman said it was evident that drivers now wanted to co-operate, and that services should operate as scheduled.