Fears bus strike set to escalate

HUNDREDS OF KERRY PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY BUS STRIKE STAND-OFF

HUNDREDS of Kerry passengers continue to be affected by an industrial dispute between bus drivers and management at Bus Eireann. Depots in Tralee and Killarney came to a standstill on Friday last when pickets were set up because of a company decision to impose €12million in payroll cuts as part of a €30 million cost-cutting plan which Bus Éireann says is needed keep the company viable.

However, bus drivers say the cuts would see reductions in wages of between €150 and €200 per week. As a result, all county and express services remain at a standstill, except for school buses which are unaffected.

“The cuts are severe and when you look at the average wage, which is around €32,000, these cuts would bring this figure down to €25,000. That’s how severe these cuts are,” said bus driver and SIPTU representative, Brendan Daly.

“Most drivers want to work Sundays and do overtime to help boost wages. If you don’t have overtime on a daily basis, it’s harder to make a wage. Unlike depots in Cork or Dublin where drivers can just turn from an Expressway service to a local one to help bring up their wages, this isn’t an option in Kerry which is why we must resist these cuts.”

Mr Daly added that Bus Eireann’s service gives more in terms of a personal service when compared with private companies and even though the strike is indefinite, they remain hopeful of a resolution. Meanwhile, Bus Eireann says it could go bust within two-weeks owing to a reserve fund of just €7million and claims the strike is costing in excess of €500,000 a day in lost revenue.

“The drivers didn’t cause this problem, it was ex-management. Naturally, we’re very sad what’s happening to our customers as these people are not just customers, they’re also our friends as we’ve known many of them for years. But we remain hopeful that this can be sorted,” Brendan concluded.

There are also fears that Iarnród Éireann could go on strike in solidarity with the bus drivers if the dispute is not resolved.

Bus Éireann has hinted it may have to seek protection from the courts through the appointment of an examiner if the strike continues, while the Workplace Relations Commission has said it remains available to assist the parties should they request assistance.

On the picket in Tralee

Bus drivers Mark Thompson and Kieran Moynihan on the picket line in Tralee

Photo: Domnick Walsh Bus Strike at Tralee Bus Station: The indefinite strike follows the introduction of a survival plan without reaching an agreement with unions.