LRC to chair Bus Éireann talks

Talks to avert a potential Bus Éireann strike take place tomorrow at the Labour Relations Commission.

The LRC director of conciliation Kevin Foley has called in both unions and management in an attempt to avert a strike which is due to take place from next Thursday January 17th.

Three unions have balloted for industrial action: Siptu, the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBBU).

Bus Éireann, which has 2,500 staff, plans to implement cuts in terms and conditions for staff from Sunday without agreement with unions if necessary. The strike is due to run for an indefinite period and could severely curtail bus services.

Workers have voted for strike action arising out of proposals by the company to cut overtime and to increase the working week for clerical and executive staff from 36 to 39 weeks.

There will also be cuts in annual leave entitlement by three days for three years and a scaling back of a range of allowance and expense payments by a third.

Bus Éireann says the measures are necessary to stave off projected losses of ¤16 million for this year if no action is taken.

The company is seeking savings of €20m to offset future losses.

Siptu reacted positively to the announcement that the issue is going to the LRC.

“We see this as a positive development and will attend the conciliation process at the LRC,” Siptu organiser, Willie Noone, said.

“The LRC must think that there is common ground here. They wouldn’t intervene otherwise.”

Mr Noone said he hoped that the issue can be resolved over the weekend before the changes are brought in. There was no response from Bus Éireann last night.