Second trade union warns of industrial action at Bus Éireann

A second trade union representing staff at Bus Éireann has warned of potential industrial action in a dispute over rosters.

Bus Éireann has indicated it is planning to introduce new rosters for staff in many parts of the country from next Sunday.

However, the trade union Siptu argued this would breach a Labour Court recommendation put forward last April to bring to an end a three-week strike at the company. Siptu said it would ballot for industrial action nationwide if the company went ahead with the plans to introduce the new rosters.

The National Bus and Rail Union has also said it will ballot for strike action if the company puts new rosters in place without agreement.

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Siptu said in a letter to the company that driver representatives in Galway, Drogheda, Broadstone (Dublin), Tralee, Cork and Sligo have been given rosters that are unacceptable to the drivers. The union said it was abundantly clear that plans to implement new rosters unilaterally would be resisted.

Bus Éireann said in a statement that it continued to engage in dialogue and consultation with unions on new rosters.

“Management are currently considering the contents of recent letters received from both Siptu and the NBRU.

“It remains of paramount importance that these rosters and rotations – which improve efficiency – are introduced as planned and previously agreed, given ongoing financial losses.”