Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on the ongoing Bus Éireann strike were continuing on Monday evening with hopes that trade unions and management can agree on a set of proposals to present to drivers.

The strike, which is now in its 18th day, has caused travel disruption nationwide as no Bus Éireann services, except school routes, have operated since March 24th.

Arriving at the talks on Monday morning, Siptu organiser Willie Noone said it was hoped the talks would result in a set of proposals which could provide for a return to work by striking bus drivers by Tuesday.

Mr Noone said, however, there would be redundancies probably “in excess” of the figure of 120 which was the subject of speculation in the media at the weekend.

The dispute centres on a proposed survival plan at the company, which involves significant cuts to workers’ pay and conditions. Talks have been under way since last Wednesday.

Hard decisions

Mr Noone said the role of the union in the talks was to protect as many “decent” jobs as possible. However, he said the decision on how many people the company employed and the extent of the service was a matter for policy-makers.

“Some hard decisions will be made by this evening. If we don’t get those decisions in our favour, it is going to change the whole concept of how public transport is provided in this country. Everyone knows that now,” he said.

“Our members are expecting a proposal that will come out and that will protect their conditions of employment.”

Mr Noone said the union was trying to influence policy-makers, but the success of this would only be seen in the proposals which emerge on Monday night.

“We can’t predict what is going to be in those proposals. Our members will ultimately decide whether they are good enough or not . . . There is no further place to go after this evening,” he said.

Cultural change

Asked how long it would take bus workers to decide on the proposals, he said it could be organised in a week but time was not critical if staff were back at work.

Speaking on Monday morning, general secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers’ Union Dermot O’Leary said a “cultural change” was required at Bus Éireann.

“We gave a commitment to the WRC that we would endeavour to reach a solution. My members and the people who rely on the service require a solution,” he told Newstalk.

Mr O’Leary said he was by nature an optimistic person, but he was finding it difficult to be optimistic about reaching a solution.

“We will try to get a solution. It is going to be difficult to sell. If we reach a conclusion, we will have to get a proposal and show it to our members,” he said.

Mr O’Leary said the talks had been very difficult for both parties, but that all had given a commitment to the WRC.

He said he was eager to get documents which he could then show to his members who would vote on the proposal. “Whatever we arrive at, it will be the best we can do in the circumstances.”