There is a warning that the strike action at Bus Eireann could escalate to include other semi-state transport firms. A member of the NBRU National Executive says there is a 'huge risk' that members at Irish Rail and Dublin Bus may follow them on to the picket lines.
Just 5% of Bus Eireann services are operating today as the rolling strike over a €5 million cost-cutting plan runs into its 2nd day.
The company says school buses will run as normal tomorrow.
There was also a further escalation in Cork today when striking drivers blocked a GoBus service to Dublin Airport from leaving.
NBRU spokesman John Maloney spoke to Newstalk's Jonathan Healy. He said staff at Iarnrod Eireann and Dublin Bus are likely to become involved.
The Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, has appealed to members of the National Bus and Rail Union to immediately enter talks to resolve the dispute which has resulted in disruption to over 95% of Bus Éireann's services.
Transport Minister issues statement
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has issued a statement on industrial action at Bus Éireann, saying "Today’s disruption to Bus Éireann passengers is deeply regrettable.
"The unions should immediately engage with the company in talks, to bring this matter to resolution. My understanding is that the company is available to engage with the unions, and has been available for many days.
"We must all work together to save Bus Éireann services and jobs. There is no time to lose."
Workers say they can't take any more cuts, and they've been describing their fears for the future, while Andrew McAlinden from Bus Éireann gave Newstalk's Breakfast the company's perspective:
Michael Faherty is the General-Secretary of the NBRU. He told Breakfast it is up to the Minister to end the strike.
Bus Éireann statement
Bus Éireann is advising that most of its services are off today - it's asking customers to check www.buseireann.ie for updates.
The following services only are currently operating:
Expressway Inter-city
Route 1 Dublin-Belfast No Bus Éireann services operating. Translink services are operating. Translink services are at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00 EX Dublin. Services Ex Dublin will operate from Custom House Quay.
Route 33 Dublin-Derry no Bus Éireann services operating. Translink services are operating. Translink services are at 10:00, 13:00, 17:30 and 22:00. Services from Dublin will operate from Custom House Quay.
GOBE – Dublin Airport-Cork All services expected to operate with services operating from Dublin city centre will pick up at Georges Quay in Dublin and Merchants Quay in Cork.
Please note the following local services will operate as normal today in the North-West
Table 492
0730 Dungloe/Glenties/Ardaghey/Donegal
0900 Donegal/Killybegs/Ardara/Glenties/Maas/Lettermacaward/Dungloe
1100 Dungloe/Lettermacaward/Maas/Glenties/Ardara/Killybegs/Donegal
1345 Donegal/Killybegs/Ardara/Glenties/Maas/Lettermacaward/Dungloe
1745 Donegal/Killybegs/Ardara/Glenties/Maas/Lettermacaward/Dungloe
Table 440
0830 Dooagh/Westport – 1810 Westport/Dooagh Mon-Sat
Table 468
0950 and 1250 Strokestown/Carrick-on-Shannon
1025 and 1325 Carrick on Shannon/Strokestown
Former Secretary-General at the Department of Transport, Julie O'Neill, says the bigger picture is the company's survival:
Watch striking Bus Éireann workers at the Cork depot below:
