BUS Éireann’s services across Limerick ground to a halt today (Sunday October 1) on account of “unofficial” strike action, according to a representative of the national transport company.
The strike action is in relation to a dispute between Bus Éireann and trade unions, and has seen services cancelled across the day.
In a statement to the Limerick Post by Bus Éireann, a representative for the company said: “Bus Éireann regrets to announce that due to unofficial industrial action taken by a small number of our employees, all services in Limerick have been impacted and are currently not operating today, 1 October 2023.”
“Bus Éireann is disappointed with this unofficial action and the impact it is having on our customers. Bus Éireann apologises to affected customers for these service cancellations.”
The strike has also impacted passengers travelling to Cork and Shannon Airport from Limerick, as well as passengers destined for Galway, Athlone, Waterford, and Kerry.
Nationally, services have also been interrupted for many passengers travelling to Dublin Airport.
The Bus Éireann rep said that the company is “committed to delivering the highest standards of service”, noting that ensuring driver availability is “critical”.
The statement from Bus Éireann continued that “the company and trade unions were engaged for some time in a review of spare driver working arrangements to ensure we deliver reliable services and these drivers cover annual leave, sickness, and other essential duties when there can be difficulties which can interrupt the normal flow of operations.”
“Spare drivers account for approximately 360 out of a total driver workforce of over 1,800 and how we roster drivers for duty each day is determined by agreed working arrangements, underpinned by the principles of fairness and equity to all drivers.
“The review of working arrangements has been completed, having been conducted through an extensive process that was jointly agreed between the company and trade unions, which was facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission and experienced independent facilitators.
“All parties agreed in advance that the determination of the Assessors and the outcome of the review would be binding on all parties.
“Following the issuing of the binding report, the company is now proceeding with implementation of the report, in full, from today, 1 October 2023. This involves a company-wide implementation of a single set of spare driver working arrangements, which meet the criteria of fairness and equity for all our employees and aligned to a Labour Court Recommendation.
Bus Éireann encouraged customers to check the ‘Service Updates’ section of its website for more information or updates on services. The transport provider did not provide any further information on when services are expected to resume.
