Irish Rail CEO 'on holiday' as strike action looms
The CEO of Irish Rail is on holiday ahead of a nationwide strike starting on Sunday, it has emerged.
The National Bus and Rail Union begins four days of planned work stoppages with a 48-hour work strike this Sunday, in a row over pay cuts.
Work stoppages are also scheduled on September 7 and September 21, which will coincide with the GAA All-Ireland hurling and football finals at Croke Park - the biggest dates on the annual sporting calendar.
This morning, Irish Rail spokesperson Barry Kenny confirmed that CEO David Franks is on holiday, five days before the first of the strikes.
"He's out of the country at the moment but he's in ongoing contact," Mr Kenny told Newtalk radio.
"We've had a situation where we have made these provisions, we've been in ongoing contact with the trade unions, he's met with members of the trade union leadership on an ongoing basis, but unfortunately we haven't had any indication that there will be a move to call off these actions."
