Bus-drivers in Dublin claim they have to be "married to their jobs" in order to earn a living wage. Many say they have to work up to 80 hours a week, putting an enormous strain on themselves and on family life.
One driver, Vincent, has been with Dublin Bus for the past 20 years. Married with three children, he said he needed to earn £300 a week to pay his bills and put food on the table. The only way he can do this is "by living in the job", working days off and doing many hours of overtime.
"It's very hard. Often I start at 6 a.m. and finish at 2 p.m. Then I start overtime at 4 p.m. and finish at 9 p.m. I go home, have a cup of tea and fall asleep on the sofa. That happens on a continuous basis. It puts a strain on family life and on one's marriage," he said.
He acknowledges it is difficult for passengers. "We have been forced into a situation where we have had to take a stance. Unfortunately, in all these situations somebody has to suffer."
Mr Martin Henry (35), who drives a 78A bus, said that after seven years in the job he has seen his wages increase by £20 a week before tax. On an average week, he takes home £220 including overtime.
Mr Henry, who has two children, said it would be impossible to bring them up if he was not prepared to do a "serious" amount of overtime.
"I left the construction industry to join Dublin Bus because this was a steady job, but friends of mine who are labouring are taking home £135 per week more than me working a five-day week. If the strike doesn't end soon or my basic doesn't go up to a decent level, I'll have to go back to construction," he said.
"When I came into this job it was quite difficult to get in. I had to have a full clean driving licence for a certain number of years, I had to do aptitude tests and a number of interviews. You don't do aptitude tests now and you don't even need a full driving licence. This is because they can't get workers and there are lads leaving every week."
He recalls how he has been spat at, punched, threatened with a syringe and robbed at gunpoint during his time as a bus-driver. But he has stayed in the job because he likes it - "All I want is a just wage."
Passengers in recent days have been very understanding and supportive, he said. He has heard only one person complaining. "I still do feel very bad about leaving them without a service, but this is just something we have had to do."
Mr Gerry Tyndall, a driver for eight years, recalled yesterday how the crack used to be great at the garages in the morning when drivers would come to pick up their buses. Over the past few years things had changed, and morale was very low. Everyone was stressed out having to work very long hours to make a living, he said.
Ms Catherine Byrne (25) has a three-year-old child. She and her partner are drivers for Dublin Bus. She joined the company last November and said her take-home pay is £170 a week.
Ms Irene Maslewska (46), who has been driving buses since last September, feels bad about causing hardship to travellers but believes the strike will continue.
"We are quite motivated and will stay out until we get what we are asking for," she said.