Representatives from Iarnród Éireann and trade union groups have officially begun negotiations at the Workplace Relations Comission in a bid to avert future strike action at the company.
It is understood that talks have begun after drivers at the company proposed a ballot for all out strike action after a dispute arose between management and drivers in regards to mentoring duties.
The dispute which has seen union representatives call for strike action apparently comes after management at the company stated that all quafied drivers must undertake compulsory mentoring duties in order to help train new recruits.
However drivers at the company have disputed management’s decision to make the training process mandatory as they say it was not part of their original agreement.
It is thought management are trying to enforce the practice after they claim that it was included as part of the recent pay increase agreement.