Hundreds of commuters and school children were left stranded today after bus drivers staged a wildcat strike across the midwest.
Twenty-five Bus Éireann workers awaiting a new pay deal to be implemented walked out despite talks between unions and management.
Services hit included school runs in Co Clare, Portumna and Gort in south Galway; Borrisokane, Nenagh and Roscrea in Tipperary; and Hospital and Doon in Limerick.
City services for commuters in Limerick city were also disrupted for around an hour.
The drivers returned to work from picket lines at around 8.30am after trade union Siptu said it would not back the walk-out.
A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann said the dispute had been resolved after the union intervened and explained talks on ratifying the new pay deal were ongoing.
“Some school transport did not operate but it was only in a limited number of rural areas, and there were limited services in Limerick city. But the issue has been resolved,” she said. “It was wildcat action. There’s no good reason for it and it is entirely frowned upon.”
The dispute dates back several months when Bus Éireann drivers began pushing for improved pay and conditions and held stoppages. The Labour Relations Commission intervened and an agreement was struck with management and unions.