It has been confirmed in the few hours that staff at Bus Eireann have voted in favour of strike action later this month.
The widely anticipated industrial action comes as staff at the company are disputing a number enforced cuts by management, including a 10% pay reduction and shorter working hours.
A spokesperson for the Union representing staff said: “Bus Éireann have had ample opportunity over the last 48 hours to positively respond to requests from all trade unions to withdraw the preconditions of pay cuts contained within the correspondence from the company of January 18 and 27.”
“The representatives of all trade unions met today to consider what course of action would be appropriate in response to this appalling attack on semi-state workers.
“It was clearly felt that Bus Éireann, by setting out on a course for major confrontation with workers, have also decided to ignore the wishes of the majority of those democratically elected to Dáil Éireann, not to unilaterally impose changes without the agreement of from its own staff.”
The spokesperson further explained: “Our representatives have today decided to engage in an all-out strike, effective from the February 20, 2017 in response to this appalling and unprecedented attack.”
“It remains a matter for Bus Éireann to decide if it wants to run the risk of bringing travel chaos to bear on the communities it is obliged to serve, or enter meaningful talks with the trade union group without preconditions”.
It is believed the proposed strike action will begin in February 20th.