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FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS AT the Workplace Relations Commission last night, management at Bus Éireann has agreed to introduce “improved” rosters for its drivers, a union has said.
In a statement to TheJournal.ie, Dermot O’Leary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) said that “a vital component” of the dispute was agreeing on rosters across the Bus Éireann network.
In keeping with a Labour Court recommendation earlier this year, a clarification document has been issued to both sides for all issues relating to drivers’ conditions – including an implementation date for all new rosters.
“The problems on the Navan/Kells corridor have been generating quite an amount of press coverage over the last couple of months,” O’Leary said, “With service difficulties for commuters and oppressive anti-family rosters for drivers being the core issues which required to be addressed.
Bus Éireann management have now agreed to implement improved rosters on the Navan service, effective from Sunday next, with nationwide implementation to follow on the 3 December.
Problems in the northeast
Since mid-September services in the northeast, including the Navan-Cavan 109 route corridor, have experienced problems such as buses routinely failing to turn up, services being cancelled with little or no notice, and even drivers taking incorrect routes.
The company blamed the situation on the addition of new rosters and new services together with “a high level of absenteeism”, which prompted the Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty to declare that the situation amounted to an “unofficial labour dispute”.
Doherty said that 299 replacement services had to be drafted in to cover the eastern bus corridor because drivers weren’t showing up for work.
But a number of drivers told TheJournal.ie that the problem isn’t one of absent drivers, but rather one of non-existent buses and unrealistic service demands.
In a statement released last night, Bus Éireann said that last night’s agreement will ensure “cost savings can be achieved” and “assures our commitment to all of our customers and stakeholders at this busy time of the year”.
The clarification document issued to both sides provides for an implementation date of 3 December next for all elements related to the driver grade, which were part of the Labour Court agreement accepted earlier this year.
- With reporting from Cianan Brennan
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I wish the Journal and other media outlets would stop this over reporting of the weather. Everyday its the same crap, warm for a few days. Cold and wet for a few days. Thats Irish weather in a nutshell..
@Cosmo Kramer: To some of us busy people – the weather is critical to doing our jobs. Daily updates are critical.
@Cosmo Kramer: And maybe, the media should stop reporting the news too as it’s always the same – car accidents, strikes, drugs, crime?
@Fank Pulman: Frank the weather is either cold and wet, warm and dry, cold and sunny or wet and warm. Thats it with the exception of the odd windy day. Look out the window every now and again and your set..
@Cosmo Kramer: An extraordinarily naive post! Cursory window observations will not tell you when the weather will change – or what it’s like (or going to be like) in different locations.
@Fank Pulman: your not that busy dude
@Donnchadh Cassin: But, unlike you, I can spell…
@Cosmo Kramer: red thumb
I agree. The weather in this country is not news, and should not feature on ‘news’ apps. There are several good weather apps out there for those who are interested.
@Anthony Byrne: No – it’s not news. Just very important information, for many…
@Fank Pulman: maybe we should cancel all traffic reports as well – because we know the roads are always crowded!?
Yep. And the sky is blue. This is also information. Important information to some.
@Fank Pulman: Oh sorry didnt realise this was an english test…ya spanner. also a great sign that somebody has lost any argument when you resort to being a grammar cop.
You couldn’t even go one day. Do you have hard on’s for giving us bad news journal?
See the gimps going crazy at even a hint of sunshine. It’s still very cold outside.
@Censored: lovely n warm in my yard
@Censored: 17 degrees is hot for March in Ireland lad
Fab here. Don’t be so moany.
Those Sheriff Street lads jumping into the Liffey near the convention centre.
Do you all realise that you paid for their swimsuits?
Come on journal let us enjoy the few days we have. We know its not going to last forever its March ffs.
If we didn’t talk about the weather, we would have f*u*c*k all to talk about!
My umbrella is up and down more times than a wh*res knickers!
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