Up to 700 workers at Iarnród Éireann are to ballot on industrial action over plans by the company to close part of its freight operation. The National Bus and Rail Union claims the move will result in more than 270 job losses and is "the first step towards privatisation" of CIÉ.
It has begun distributing ballot papers on industrial action to its 700 members in Iarnród Éireann. The ballot is to be completed early next month.
A spokesman for the company expressed surprise at the move as management is to meet unions tomorrow to discuss its plans for the freight operation.
A review of its loss-making freight business was authorised by the company's board earlier this month in light of the closure of Irish Fertilizer Industries, one of Irish Rail's biggest customers.
IFI business generated annual revenue of between €3.5 million and €4 million for the rail company and was responsible for about 35 full-time jobs.
The spokesman, Mr Barry Kenny, stressed that there were no plans to pull out of the freight business altogether, nor would there be any compulsory redundancies. It is thought likely, however, that a freight plan drawn up by the company last year will now be revisited.
That envisaged 180 voluntary redundancies and redeployment for 70 staff. A decision is to be taken by the board at its meeting on November 6th. Mr Liam Tobin, the NBRU general secretary, said the freight move was "only the start of privatisation", which would affect everyone in the company
While other countries were offering tax incentives to companies to transport more goods by rail, this State was proposing to put "hundreds of additional lorries on to our already gridlocked roads", he said.
This was economic madness, Mr Tobin claimed.
