TALKS at Bus Eireann over a rescue plan involving cuts in operating costs of £6 million have broken down.
Unions representing the company's 800 drivers are to ballot their members for industrial action and may extend the dispute to other CIE companies, where management is proposing cuts on a similar scale.
A SIPTU official, Mr Ken Fleming, said after negotiations ended yesterday that the cuts in Bus Eireann would mean reductions in pay of over £100 a week for most of his members, and up to £190 for some categories.
The majority union among the Bus Eireann drivers is the NBRU. Its general secretary, Mr Peter Bunting, said the union executive would be meeting to review the situation.
It may decide to ballot its members across the CIE group, as similar problems existed for other employees.
The changes being sought would result in the widespread use of casual labour and in permanent drivers being liable to work on split shifts without over time or shift payments, he said.
In a statement last night, the company said the cost cutting plan was necessary to secure the company's future.