Talks continue to avert bus strike

The latest round of talks aimed at averting a planned two-day strike at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann later this week will resume at the Labour Relations Commission today.

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last weekend invited unions and management at the companies to take part in a further attempt to resolve the current dispute, which has already seen a two-day work stoppage earlier this month.

It is understood the LRC has also held discussions with the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority. Talks aimed at resolving the row have been under way since Monday.

A two-day strike by members of the National Bus and Railworkers Union and Siptu is scheduled to go ahead on Friday and Saturday.

Bank holiday

A further three-day work stoppage is planned for the June bank holiday weekend.

The dispute centres on plans by the National Transport Authority – backed by the Government – to put out to tender 10 per cent of routes operated by the State-owned Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.

The two State companies will be permitted to take part in the tender process for the future operation of the routes.

Twin track

It is understood that the discussions involve essentially a twin-track approach; with talks on existing industrial relations issues relating to the current initiative to put out to tender 10 per cent of routes taking place in tandem with another strand dealing with what could happen in 2019 when potentially more routes could be put out to tender under a second wave of changes.