Sunday 24th of August marked the beginning of industrial action by Iarnrod Eireann employees over proposed pay cuts. The company had been in talks with unions over the last twenty months regarding these pay cuts but due to its current financial position and losses of an estimated €147 million over the last 6 years, the proposed pay cuts were seen as a necessity. Most unions involved in these talks had been in agreement with the company. However following months of discussion, the largest two unions, NBRU (National Bus & Rail Union) and SIPTU, have led the members of these two unions to now strike.
It has been estimated by the Irish Times that some 160,000 train passengers were affected on Sunday 24th August and a further 100,000 train commuters affected on Monday 25th August. As such, employers are likely to see the effects of this strike come to their front door due to the knock-on impact on employees trying to commute to work on time. Also, with plans afoot for three further stoppages next month by SIPTU and NBRU, employers should be aware of the potential implications that may arise for them and how they might combat these.
Lateness
There is a strong potential for employees being late for work during these strikes. Employees who usually rely on train services such as the DART, Commuter, etc. will have to make other arrangements for getting to work and this could lead to them being unable to make it to their workplace on time. To ensure this can be avoided or limited as much as possible, employers should make the employees aware of the planned stoppages next month (details of which are yet to be announced), and encourage them to plan alternative travel options as much as possible. Employees should be aware that buses will in turn be affected; more full, more cramped, and the need to leave on earlier routes will be more evident. In doing this the employee will be less likely to be late, less inclined to have their mood affected by the extra hassle of their alternative arrangements, and more likely to feel their employer has looked out for them regarding the industrial action which has affected their usual routine.
Parking
As more and more employees are likely to drive to work, car parking issues have the potential to increase with this industrial action. Employers should be mindful that, where applicable, any requests for the use of car parking spaces are dealt with as fairly as possible. Alternatively, employees who are unaware of the parking locations and the extra time this may take to get to work should be communicated with. Again this could limit any instances of lateness or employees dealing with undue hassle and potentially being less productive in their workplace because of their disrupted work commute.
Cycling & Car-pooling
Two final options which could also be advised to employees are cycling and car-pooling with other employees who may take the same route to work. Bike To Work Scheme offers could increase here and payroll departments may see an increase in the number of applications or interest in this scheme. Car-pooling could also encourage good employee relations and increase the communication of workers within the business.
Overall, employers should be mindful that increased lateness due to the Iarnrod Eireann industrial action is inevitable, and their approach to this should naturally be more understanding. However, being aware of some of the options outlined in this article and the potential benefits that could come from approaching them head on, will only benefit the employer and in turn the business.
