Bus Eireann Cost-Saving Talks Collapse
It looks like Bus Eireann workers are going to strike. It's after talks between the company and trade unions over pay and cost-saving measures broke down.
Bus Eireann says it needs to save €12m or face going bust. Negotiations at the Work Place Relations Commission broke down with unions blaming the company for 'collapsing the talks'.
Bus Eireann has responded, saying it put every conceivable issue on the table - but claimed the unions refused to negotiate any change to terms and conditions. The NBRU and SIPTU say management introduced an impossible demand, for pay cuts of €12-million euro by May.
SIPTU's Willie Noone, described the cuts as "totally unacceptable" and claimed they "would never be entertained by our members."
"If Bus Éireann tries to force through cuts our members will have no option but to take strike action to save their jobs and protect public transport services", he warned.
Bus Eireann said it has put "every conceivable issue on the table" but argues unions "have no intention of reaching an agreement which will address the financial crisis."