Iarnrod Eireann hopes to improve services to Cork today with a return to work by more SIPTU and National Bus and Rail Union members. However, it remained unclear last night if drivers would respond to union appeals.
The company's list of services for today includes the 08.30 and 15.20 trains from Dublin and the 19.15 train from Cork, with a bus link between Cork and Mallow. This would provide the same level of service as yesterday.
About two-thirds of the Drogheda/Dundalk suburban services are expected to operate and half the Kildare services. The DART and Maynooth lines are expected to operate normally. However, the Cobh suburban service continues to be severely affected by the situation in Cork. The Kildare to Connolly GAA special tomorrow is now expected to run.
The Dublin-Belfast, Dublin-Rosslare and Dublin-Galway routes are expected to operate normally. There will be bus transfers operating between Athlone and Westport and Athlone and Sligo. The Dublin-Limerick and Dublin-Waterford lines will provide a reduced service.
Yesterday, the company renewed its claim that the Irish Locomotive Drivers' Association collectors for a relief fund were intimidating other drivers and said it accounted for at least two drivers not reporting for work.
The company is also understood to be assembling evidence against ILDA in case it decides to take legal action over losses estimated at around £150,000 a day. ILDA is also understood to be considering legal action.
So far the dispute has had little impact on the wider economy. Companies normally reliant on rail transport have made other arrangements. Tara Mines, for instance, is trucking its lead and zinc exports to the ports and Irish Fertilisers is discussing bringing forward annual holidays to avoid lay-offs.
ILDA executive secretary Mr Brendan Ogle denied collectors were attempting to intimidate other drivers and said support was "very firm" from his own members. He estimated 12 or 15 ILDA members were working the new agreement but claimed a similar number of SIPTU and NBRU members were refusing to do so. Yesterday, SIPTU vice-president Mr Jack O'Connor sent a circular to SIPTU drivers outlining the union position and pointing out that they had accepted the terms in a secret ballot, but it remains to be seen what effect this has. The dispute is now expected to run well into next week.
Ironically, many ILDA drivers will receive retrospective payments due from June 5th next Friday for working the new agreement. This will be their last pay packet until the dispute is settled.
A date is expected to be set for the Supreme Court appeal of ILDA's claim for union recognition. However, the most ILDA can hope for is a decision that the company should recognise the association's right to represent members.