Talks resume to avert school bus strike

Talks aimed at averting a bus strike that could affect thousands of children later this week will resume today.

The row between more than 200 Bus Éireann staff and management centres is over pay levels and working conditions for part-time school bus drivers.

The industrial action, which could affect some 14,000 children, was deferred for a week last Friday after the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission LRC).

The two sides met again with the LRC on Monday and discussions will resume this morning.

Siptu, which represents workers, is seeking parity with full-time Bus Éireann drivers. According to the union, part-time drivers earn €11.66 an hour and have no overtim rates, pension, sick pay or other benefits.

They claim they are among the lowest paid workers in the public transport and education sectors.

Siptu served strike notice on the transport company early last week.

While 90% of the school bus service is contracted out to the independent sector, Bus Éireann directly employs around 550 part-time drivers, with around 20 belonging to Siptu.

Bus Éireann has argued the union’s claims have been rejected by the both the Labour Court and a Rights Commissioner.