Union: We have no cost-saving measures for Bus Éireann

Michael Faherty of the National Bus and Rail Union has said he has no grounds for optimism in the LRC talks with management at Bus Éireann.

Management and unions are meeting at the Labour Relations Commission this morning to attempt to reach a settlement in the dispute over €5m worth of cost-cutting measures.

The NBRU has suspended its strike action for 48 hours to allow the talks to take place, after two days of major disruption for passengers.

Mr Faherty, on his way into those talks said: "All we have today is what we sought anyway, an opportunity to sit down and discuss the matter with the company and see can we make any progress.

"We don’t have a menu of cost-saving measures in our back pocket."

He went on to say that his union only reacted when the company implemented the Labour Court's recommendations without agreement from the union.

He said: "At least we are talking, let's see what happens, I cannot pre-empt what may or may not happen, it's a very difficult situation."

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said today that only a lasting agreement would protect the jobs of workers at Bus Éireann.

Minister Varadkar said that an agreement has to be reached this time.