Bus Eireann staff to hold all-out indefinite strike action

By Brian Hutton, Press Association

Union chiefs have ordered an all-out strike at Bus Eireann which will cripple the country-wide bus network.

Industrial action was declared after bosses at the State bus company threw down the gauntlet, insisting they were pressing ahead with cost-cutting measures.

Bus Eireann has told workers it is axing routes between Dublin and Derry, Clonmel and Westport within weeks while services between the capital and Limerick and Galway are being curtailed.

The cutbacks are expected to impact on pay and jobs.

Bus Eireann is adamant they are necessary "due to the perilous state of the company's finances and the failure to reach agreement with unions" in its row over a survival plan for the beleaguered carrier.

The "immediate cost savings" are to be implemented next Monday.

The threat immediately drew retaliation from the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), which declared an "all-out indefinite strike" from the same date.

Dermot O'Leary, NBRU's general secretary, accused Bus Eireann bosses of steering workers towards conflict by issuing ultimatums before they have had the opportunity to digest previous manoeuvres.

"The fact is that by informing staff that they are going to introduce far-reaching and financially impactful measures from next Monday, without agreement, Bus Eireann has left us with no option but to inform the company that we will reactivate our previously notified strike action to coincide with the implementation of these measures," he added.

Trade union Siptu followed suit, saying it too would back all-out strike action.

Willie Noone, Siptu organiser, said workers are "amazed at the attitude" of bosses in announcing a plan to "render Bus Eireann services unrecognisable and massively curtail the public service the company currently provides".

"Siptu representatives have always been, and remain, available to discuss the introduction of efficiencies at Bus Eireann," he added.

"However, what is being outlined is the destruction of the company as a public service provider and in light of this it is inconceivable that the Minister for Transport Shane Ross will not intervene to rein in a management which is clearly acting against the interests of the travelling public."

But Bus Eireann has warned a 12 million euro cost-cutting package is "vital" to ensure the company doesn't go bust.

"The company must deal with its challenges directly, and the board (of directors) have a duty to ensure Bus Eireann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessary steps to secure this," a company spokeswoman said.

"Further dialogue aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome."