Mr David Franks
Chief Executive Officer
Iarnród Éireann
Connolly Station
Dublin 1

1st August 2014

Re: Staff Intimidation

Dear Sir,

I am to advise that our attention has been drawn to what can only be described as malevolent behaviour by certain managers throughout the period in which we have been conducting a ballot of our members for Industrial Action up to and including all-out Strike.

You will be aware that this ballot was conducted as a response to your decision to implement wage reduction measures without agreement from the 24th August 2014.

A number of our representatives have been in touch regarding the inappropriate contact being made with individual staff members by some managers and/or agents working on their behalf, who are, it appears, seeking answers as to what those individuals would do in the event of a dispute.

I have deliberately chosen to delay this correspondence in order to allow for the completion of our ballot, I of course respect the democratic right of the individual to exercise their franchise without undue interference.

Having completed the ballot (see separate correspondence) I now wish to place on record my abhorrence of this deliberate attempt to intimidate staff.

The NBRU totally respects your right to brief your staff; furthermore we accept that we are at variance with you with regards to your stated intention to implement wage cuts without agreement.

However, the least we would expect in return (even if it does require a Damascus type conversion) is that the same respect would be afforded to our members democratically mandated opposition to your arbitrary decision.

I am now to respectfully request that you will use your good offices to bring a halt to this intimidatory behaviour.

Yours Sincerely

_____________
DERMOT O’LEARY
General Secretary