COMMUTERS are facing all-out travel chaos from Monday when Bus Éireann drivers go on strike.
Union officials have warned that Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers may follow suit, bringing the entire country to a halt.
Bus Éireann bus on St Patrick’s Bridge, Cork.
Bus Éireann yesterday confirmed it was taking a number of actions to resolve the ‘perilous state’ of its finances.
Talks with union officials over the previous days had failed to resolve the issues and, as such, the company confirmed it was set to implement cost-saving proposals from next Monday, March 6.
The move left bus drivers with no choice but to strike, according to Cork bus driver John Moloney, president of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU). “These changes are being introduced without any level of discussion. What else can we do?”
Reports last night suggested that other transport providers may follow suit, joining the drivers in their action and causing chaos in Ireland’s public transport infrastructure.
Mr Moloney said there are ‘strong indications’ that Irish Rail and Dublin Bus will join Bus Éireann next Monday. “The union membership is the same amongst the three companies,” he said.
“You have stations across the country where bus and rail have the same entrances. If bus drivers are picketing one of these stations, rail workers won’t pass that picket.”
A statement from Bus Éireann proposed ‘further dialogue’ with unions to resolve the dispute, though Mr Moloney said he doesn’t expect a resolution before next Monday’s strike.
He said: “At this stage, there is no hope of avoiding this. We could sit down and talk this out until kingdom come and we still couldn’t solve it.”
Mr Moloney said that issues have escalated in recent months. An initial shortfall of €5.8 million, associated with Bus Éireann’s Expressway service, has taken a backseat as the transport provider aims to plug a €30 million deficit across its entire offering.
Wage cuts are part of the solution proposed. Bus drivers are refusing to take the hit, which could amount to thousands per driver per annum, Mr Moloney said.
“Bus Éireann are targeting our terms and conditions with the aim of competing with private operators for routes in future years. It’s cost-cutting, it’s a race to the bottom.
“They are a public company providing a public service. If they manage it with us then god help the other transport providers.”
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