The threat of industrial action at Bus Eireann from next week has been averted following the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission.
The strike, which could have affected up to 70,000 passengers daily, centred on proposals by management to introduce a controversial new cost-containment programme without agreement.
Bus Eireann said that it had accepted an invitation from the Labour Relations Commission to attend a meeting next week to facilitate negotiations on its controversial cost-saving programme.
The company said that it would be deferring the implementation of its cost-saving programme, which it had planned to introduce from next week, pending the outcome of the new talks.
The general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, Michael Faherty told The Irish Times that his union had put off the planned industrial action to allow for the new talks at the Labour Relations Commission next week to take place.
The union had said that it would commence a campaign of industrial action at the company in protest at the decision by Bus Eireann to implement cuts and changes to terms and conditions without agreement from next week.
Direct talks between management and unions at the company over the cost-containment programme broke down a week ago.
Under the company's proposals around 320 of its 2,700 employees would lose their jobs, including 220 bus drivers.
It also intended to abolish or reduce the frequency of around 50 bus services and introduce changes to terms and conditions for staff
Bus Éireann said in a statement that it was facing a very serious and challenging financial position that needed to be addressed urgently.
"The company is projecting losses of up to €30m in 2009 unless its cost recovery plan is implemented".
"The cost recovery plan is designed to protect as many services and jobs as possible, while taking the necessary action to tackle the company's losses and return it to a position of financial strength", it said.
