The Labour Relations Commission has invited both sides in the Bus Eireann dispute to attend talks on Monday in an effort to avert a national transport strike. The invitation was issued by the LRC's chief executive, Mr Kieran Mulvey, late yesterday. "Every effort must be made to avoid a nationwide dispute," he said.
The National Bus and Rail Union has served strike notice on Bus Eireann for Tuesday and says it expects the action to extend to other CIE companies by Wednesday. The dispute is over a threat by Bus Eireann to unilaterally introduce 20 minibuses on its suburban routes. The NBRU represents the majority of drivers in Bus Eireann and Dublin Bus, and around half of those in Iarnrod Eireann.
However, Iarnrod Eireann and Dublin Bus have been at pains to emphasise that they have no dispute with the unions. A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said last night that the company expected services to continue normally next week.
He added that the company's freight division had suffered heavily from the recent loss of two major customers, Bell Lines and Asahi. "Any further disruption to freight services would seriously damage the business, which is in nobody's interest."
However, the general secretary of the NBRU, Mr Peter Bunting, said the union would not accept the introduction of any aspects of the viability plans under discussion until everything was agreed. "We have actually accepted minibuses as a necessary part of the viability package, but we will not allow them to be introduced prior to agreement."
The regional secretary of SIPTU, Mr Jack Nash, accused Bus Eireann of attempting to cherry-pick issues in breach of the spirit of the partnership approach that was the basis for talks on the three viability plans.
He said his union was available for meaningful negotiations and accused Bus Eireann of attempting to provoke a dispute. "Should Bus Eireann attempt to introduce unilaterally any part of their proposals without our agreement, we will be left with no alternative but to introduce, by way of industrial action, the mandate of our members."
However, Bus Eireann says it can no longer deny customers the benefits of investment in its minibus service. It says a successful pilot scheme has operated in Waterford since December 1995, and it has now invested £2 million in providing a better service.
A spokesman added that efforts by the unions to tie agreement on the introduction of minibuses to the company's wider viability plan was only a means of stalling negotiations. The interim arrangements being proposed were reasonable and it was now up to the unions to demonstrate their ability to negotiate change.
While the NBRU executive is meeting this morning to draw up plans for the dispute, it is also expected to accept the LRC offer of talks. SIPTU's national transport committee is meeting on Monday to review the situation.