DUBLIN Bus management and trade union representatives are to hold talks in a bid to end the industrial dispute that has wreaked commuter chaos in the city.
The exploratory discussions will be convened at the Workplace Relations Commission on Monday.
Commuters have endured six days of transport disruption to date and another 13 days of action are scheduled.
The National Bus and Railworkers’ Union (NBRU) indicated that a decision on whether to proceed with the further strikes will be taken once it assesses if management are “serious” about comprehensive engagement on workers’ pay rise demands.
While Dublin Bus has offered to increase wages, the unions have demanded a more significant pay hike.
NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said: “Whilst the request to attend at talks without preconditions is something the trade unions have long been calling for, the fact is that our members are extremely angry that the inaction to date by the company and the Department of Transport has caused severe disruption to commuters and staff alike.
“Any decision we have to take in relation to postponing our members’ industrial action is one which we will only consider after first establishing if Dublin Bus are serious about engaging in comprehensive discussions towards a resolution of this dispute on behalf of the 400,000 commuters and 3,500 staff.”
Transport minister Shane Ross, above, who has faced criticism over his handling of the dispute, welcomed the development.
“I am pleased talks are due to take place between both sides and we now need to give the relevant institutions space to formulate an agreement that is fair and workable for both sides,” he said.
