Bus Eireann strike set for October bank holiday

A strike by clerical staff at Bus Éireann, beginning this weekend, is set to cause massive disruption in services over the October bank holiday.

The 350 staff intend to hold a work stoppage on Friday, and again on Tuesday October 29th.

The workers, who are represented by TSSA and SIPTU, will stop work every Monday and Tuesday until the dispute is resolved.

The dispute centres around pay scales and promotion regulations. The workers have rejected a Labour Court recommendation on the introduction of fortnightly pay, a fifteen per cent pay rise, and the payment of a €1,000 lump sum.

A SIPTU spokeswoman said the workers contend that their pay to date has fallen behind equivalent staff in Irish Rail, and are demanding that it be brought in line. They are also seeking retrospective payments, she said.

Bus Éireann insist the pay offer is in line with offers made to other grades in the company.

The company's manager of employee relations, Mr Michael Donnelly, said it was as yet unclear what effect the threatened strike would have on bus services. "The bank holiday weekend was chosen to cause the maximum damage possible to the company," he said.