One of the unions involved in five days of industrial action at Irish Rail is calling on the Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe to intervene in the dispute.
Siptu and the NBRU are holding work stoppages on August 24 and 25 - as well as on September 7, 8 and 21 - dates that include the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals.
Iarnrod Eireann says the strikes will only serve to disrupt customers, threaten employment and worsen the company's financial position.
Siptu organiser Paul Cullen says there is no easy solution, and is calling on the minister to intervene.
Mr Cullen said: "We've made our position clear, the company have made their position clear. I don’t know at this particluar stage what will resolve this, what may resolve it is intervention from the minister to set up some sort of a forum to deal with the issues on both side.
"The company must withdraw the demand that it is going to cut pay on the 24th for any room to manoeuvre in that area."