BUS Eireann says it is pressing ahead with plans to introduce new work rosters for drivers from tomorrow morning, despite the fact that the High Court is to hear a case challenging the legality of the changes later today.
Mr Justice Kelly set 11 a.m. today for the hearing after representations from counsel for the company and members of the National Bus and Rail Unions (NBRU) that an urgent hearing was necessary in the public interest. It had been expected that it would be a number of days before the case would be heard, and that Bus Eireann might be asked to defer the new rosters until then.
The NBRU members are challenging changes in their work rosters, which could involve pay cuts of over £100 a week, because the 1986 Transport Act states their working conditions cannot be adversely changed except with the agreement of their trade unions.
After yesterday's hearing, a spokesman for Bus Eireann said the deferral of changes in work rosters from Monday to Wednesday morning was not being extended "as of now".
He pointed out that the changes only affect staff, not passenger timetables.
The general secretary of the NBRU, Mr Peter Bunting, said his members would be reporting for duty as normal tomorrow morning. However, this does not necessarily mean they will work, the new rosters.
It is more likely they will offer to perform their old duties. If management then begins to suspend drivers, the dispute could rapidly escalate into a full scale strike that would rapidly embrace Iarnrod Eireann and Dublin Bus as well.
The Labour Relations Commission may attempt to intervene in the dispute tomorrow, if the High Court concludes its business. But the LRC is only likely to do so if management and unions indicate that they are willing to negotiate a settlement.
The LRC is understood to take the view that its hands are tied until the issues have been dealt with in the High Court. Unfortunately, by tomorrow evening there may be too little time left to find a basis for negotiations.
The Labour TD for Dublin North East, Mr Sean Kenny, became the latest Government back bencher to criticise CIE for its policy of change by dictatorial decree". In a statement last night he said "many attempt to force a plan through without prior negotiations is a recipe for industrial relations chaos".