Talks to avert next Tuesday's strike at Dublin Bus broke down yesterday. If the one-day stoppage goes ahead, gardai are expected to relax restrictions on motorists using Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs).
The number of people using buses since the Stillorgan QBC was introduced last April has increased from 10,000 to 25,000 during morning peak traffic. Numbers on the older Malahide and Lucan QBCs have grown by a more modest 11 per cent and 16 per cent in the past year.
The strike is the first of a series of stoppages planned to escalate to a total withdrawal of services by mid-March. It follows rejection of a 20 per cent National Bus and Railworkers' Union pay claim by an independent review body. However, the body did recommend that both sides talk about new work practices.
After yesterday's meeting, the general secretary of the NBRU, Mr Peter Bunting, said, "The company offered talks on Monday week, but we would have to call off the dispute".
"We are prepared to negotiate day and night", he said. "Why do we have to wait another week?"
The company said it was prepared to negotiate under an independent chairperson if "that were deemed helpful". But this required the unions to give both sides more time.
SIPTU members are due to consider the situation tomorrow. At the very least they are expected to respect NBRU pickets if the strike goes ahead.
The independent review is critical of the company's failure to manage change in the company and of inflexibility on the union side. These attitudes had led to over-reliance on overtime and absenteeism among drivers rostered for late-night and weekend duties.
The NBRU and SIPTU have been seeking substantial increases in the basic minimum pay of £204 to £269, on the basis of private sector comparisons.