Relief for Kildare bus users as NBRU call off planned Bus Éireann strike
There was relief for bus users around the country this afternoon as it was announced that the all-out indefinite strike at Bus Éireann has been deferred. Workers were due to begin their strike action this coming Monday but their union has agreed to sit down with Bus Éireann management for talks over pay.
The strike had been called due to Bus Éireann's plans to press ahead with cutting around €12 million from their wage bill as part of a €30 million cost-cutting plan that was due to be presented to the board of the company by acting chief executive Ray Hernan.
The National Bus and Railworkers' Union had planned for its members to carry out strike action, but promises from Bus Éireann that they will not impose any paycuts on Monday means that they will sit down with management once again for further discussions.
“We will of course endeavour, on behalf of commuters and our members, to work towards resolving this crisis," said General Secretary of the NBRU Dermot O'Leary.
"However, the attitude displayed by Bus Éireann management to-date has left us with no option but to advise our members that they should remain on a war-footing... should the company plough ahead with its Irish Ferries-style attack on bus workers' moderate terms and conditions.”
Mr O'Leary then outlined how their willingness to enter further discussions can not be used as a political cloak for Bus Éireann to hide behind.
"Furthermore we will be informing Bus Éireann that the NBRU will not allow our willingness to assist in trying to resolve this crisis be used as a fig leaf behind which those with political responsibility can hide, from the disgraceful decision to close vital Bus Eireann routes from Clonmel to Dublin, Athlone to Westport and Dublin to Derry.”
Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, welcomed the decision to defer the strike.
“I welcome the news that Monday’s proposed bus strike has been called off. I would like to thank both employer and employees involved in this dispute for accepting an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission to return to talks," he said.
"I am sure the travelling public will be relieved that Bus Éireann services will be available to them on Monday.”