Transport workers are set for a wave of strikes this week. Tomorrow rail services are likely to be disrupted by a one-day strike of signal operatives. On Wednesday, Aer Lingus caterers are expected to cause disruption with pickets at Dublin Airport.
Dockers may ballot for strike action in support of colleagues involved in a six-week dispute at marine terminals.
In addition, more than 620 secondary schools will close tomorrow when the ASTI takes one-day strike action. The union will today release details of an internal opinion poll which, it says, shows strong public support for its actions.
This morning the union will launch a legal challenge to prevent the Government withdrawing pay to members during six days of industrial action over the coming weeks.
All three transport disputes involve SIPTU members. The union's rail branch secretary, Mr Tony Tobin, said yesterday no mainline services would operate in the Republic but that the DART would run between Bray, Howth and Malahide provided the company did not engage in provocative action.
"If anyone in management attempts to do any work done by signalmen outside the CTC [Central Traffic Controls] our members will be instructed instantly not to co-operate", he said.
The 15 signallers in CTC operate the DART signals and co-operate with the 138 signallers in the "fringe cabin" system who are striking tomorrow.
Mr Tobin said his members were available for talks "but we have received no approach of any kind from the company since we served strike notice several weeks ago".
The human resources manager of Iarnrod Eireann, Mr John Keenan, said it would add £1.4 million to the company's pay bill of £124 million to meet the union's pay claim. There is a £2,800 to £4,100 a year gap between the rates being offered by Iarnrod Eireann and the union claim for converting to annualised hours.
While Mr Keenan accepts there might be financial losses to some drivers from the new arrangement, he said they would be working 48 hours a week rather than 60 hours or more, and would have rest days off.
He said there was "a closed shop approach by a variety of staff groups seeking to limit recruitment in their area in favour of enhancing earnings".
The tough stance by both sides is influenced strongly by the fact that DART drivers have served strike notice for the first of a series of one-day stoppages on November 20th. While Labour Court intervention is expected, it is by no means certain that a serious escalation can be avoided in both disputes at the company.
Meanwhile, caterers at Aer Lingus are expected to mount pickets at all the main entrances to Dublin Airport on Wednesday after rejecting a Labour Court recommendation by almost 260 votes to four yesterday.
SIPTU negotiator Mr Dermot O'Loughlin said the result was not surprising as the overall value of the package was only £480,000, compared with a previous package of £718,000 rejected less than two weeks ago.
In return employees were being asked to concede new work practices which would save Aer Lingus over £1 million a year.
Caterers' shop stewards have been in touch with colleagues in Dublin Bus and SIPTU's taxi branch at Dublin Airport asking them not to pass their pickets. They report that the response has been good.