24/06/2009

Bus Strike To Hit Rural Community Hardest

Those living in the west are to be among passengers hardest hit in next week's bus drivers strike.

Today, Bus Eireann say passengers across Sligo and Leitrim can expect widespread disruption if unions go ahead with their threatened strike action on Monday.

The bus company has confirmed that a contingency plan will be in place but conceded that if there are "no drivers" it will be extremely difficult to maintain a normal service.

The drivers plan to walk off the job on Monday in protest over the companys €30 million cost cutting plan.

Instead, drivers are to take to the picket line if Bus Eireann introduces the cuts which are scheduled to come into effect that day.

Despite the threat, Bus Eireann have confirmed that they will go ahead with their plans and added that they will try to maintain their services to the best of their ability, but added that if all drivers refuse to turn up for work on Monday there will be widespread problems for passengers.

Management are planning to shed 320 jobs and remove 160 buses from the company's fleet and last week failed to reach agreement with the unions due to a row over the appointment of temporary drivers.

SIPTU wants the firm to appoint 40 probationary drivers to permanent positions, but Bus Éireann is refusing to do so until an overall agreement is reached on the €25m cost-cutting plan.

See: Bus Strike Looms

(BMcC)

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