The Irish Locomotive Drivers’ Association, which recentlyamalgamated with the ATGWU, has threatened a series of nine one-day stoppages from next Tuesday.
Iarnród Éireann said this proposed action could lead tobroad disruption to passenger and freight services.
Strike notice on the company was served by ATGWU leader Mr Michael O’Reilly on behalf of the ILDA drivers. The ATGWU is seeking to extend its representation in Iarnród Éireann to include the ILDA drivers.
Iarnród Éireann claims this goes against existing agreements, and that anystrike would be unofficial.
The action next Tuesday will affect services from Dundalk, Drogheda, Connolly and Fairview stations. On Wednesday, Cork, Mallow, Waterford, Limerick, Athlone, Portlaoise and Inchicore services are due to be disrupted, while Sligo Ballina, Westport and Mullingar will be targeted on Thursday.
A further six days of strike action are scheduled for later in the month.
Mr O’Reilly said: "The ATGWU, which represents almost half of the country’s train drivers, are left with no alternative but to go ahead with a nationwide strike following failure to reach agreement with senior management of the company on representation rights for our members".
"Attempts to reach a compromise failed this morning and as a result the planned strike will go ahead."
"The ATGWU are willing even at this late stage to co-operate with any third party intervention that may bring a satisfactory solution to this dispute."
ILDA drivers staged a ten-week stoppage last summer over their objections to new rostering proposals by the rail company.
