No contingency plan if Dublin Bus drivers strike at weekend

There is no contingency plan in place in the event of industrial action by bus drivers this weekend, Dublin Bus has confirmed.

Members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union served strike notice earlier this week in a dispute over the implementation of a major cost cutting plan this Sunday.

"Given the size of our organisation, with a fleet of 920 buses and over 3,000 employees, it really isn't feasible to have a contingency plan in place to operate services," Clíodhna Ní Fhátharta, the company's Communications Manager, said.

A €12m plan for the organisation was approved by the Labour Court earlier in the summer, but union members have rejected it.

"From a customer's perspective we would be very concerned - and hugely disappointed with the trade unions if they decide to engage in this action."

"We would urge them to reconsider their position … there's nothing to be achieved by striking this weekend."

Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis said the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, should step in.

"I don't want to see the bus services disrupted, I don't want to see people be penalised. We've a lot of events taking place over the next weekend - and I really believe the Minister needs to intervene."