Widespread bus stoppages from next Monday

Bus Eireann services, including school bus runs, could be withdrawn from this Monday if planned strike action goes ahead.

SIPTU and National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) members at Bus Éireann are expected to proceed with major work stoppages on Monday, March 6, the same date from which management plan to implement 55 measures aimed at tackling the financial crisis at the embattled semi-state company.
'The concerns expressed locally are that the workers will not accept the plans that have to date been outlined by the company, so if the company persist all routes currently done by Bus Eireann will cease,' a spokesperson for SIPTU told The Anglo-Celt this week. These could include two important services for the county, including the Dublin/ Airport-Donegal 30 and the 109 Cavan-Dublin routes. All Bus Éireann School bus services are also threatened.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross on Monday encouraged the company and Bus Éireann staff ' to engage urgently in a constructive manner'.
But a spokesperson for the company stated that the measures are 'vital' to ensuring that Bus Éireann remains solvent and that it 'can continue to trade as a going concern'.
'The company must deal with its challenges directly, and the Board have a duty to ensure Bus Éireann is financially sustainable and therefore must take the necessary steps to secure this,' the spokesperson told the Celt. But they added that further dialogue to urgently resolve the challenges facing the bus company 'would be welcome'.
It has been reported that operating losses at Bus Éireann increased to €1.5m in January and that, if this run rate continues, the company could be insolvent by May.
As part of its 55 point plan, Bus Éireann has already announced plans to cease its X7 Dublin-Clonmel, 21 Athlone-Westport, and 33 Dublin-Derry, and reduce the frequency of the Dublin-Limerick (X12), and Dublin-Galway (20/X20) services.
There will also be stricter controls placed on bus hire, all unplanned and un-rostered overtime is banned, and annual leave carry-over will be stopped among other measures.
In a letter to staff, Bus Éireann acting chief executive Ray Hernan stated that the financial situation at the company has continued to deteriorate.
He said therefore that some of the 'inefficiencies' at Bus Éireann were indefensible.
'Company management, with the approval of the board, therefore has no option but to implement changes to work practices that will result in immediate cost savings. This will also be a first step on our road to competitiveness.
'These work practice initiatives are only an initial step - further measures involving changes to terms and conditions are also essential,' Mr Hernan said.