Continuation of Bus Éireann strike action in question as talks continue

It is still not clear whether pickets at Bus Éireann will be lifted before tomorrow.

If there is no resolution tonight, Bus Éireann’s SIPTU workers will vote on strike action later in the week.

Thousands of passengers have been left stranded after workers went on strike yesterday in a dispute over €5m in cuts implemented by the company.

Talks aimed at resolving the dispute at the loss making company are still ongoing at the Labour Relations Commission.

Transport Sector Organiser with SIPTU Willie Noone, is appealing to the company not to go ahead with the cuts.

"At the bare minimum we're hoping that the company will withdraw their threat to change the conditions of employment of our members," he said

"If that's not forthcoming we won't make any progress on this at all tonight

"Our members are balloting on Thursday and we're looking for the space between this and Thursday to be given to the trade unions to act constructively with the company to deal with the problems."

Meanwhile General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union Michael Faherty has said that constructive negotiation is needed.

"What we hope for is that a basis can be found for assumption of constructive and proper negotiations," he said.

"We have Labour Court recommendations that give us huge problems turned down by 82% of the membership so to turn that around would be easy if we can't find a basis for the negotiations."