Threat of unofficial strikes across all CIÉ companies

The troubled transport company, which could go bust in three months, will start to impose payroll cuts on staff from Monday, sparking an indefinite all-out strike.

But unions have warned that their members in other CIÉ companies may take unofficial action.

Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers may refuse to pass the pickets, or there could be wildcat strikes.

But there appeared to be a glimmer of hope that further talks could take place to resolve the row, as the company held off on imposing some big ticket items including cuts to premium pay and allowances in its initial plan.

Siptu organiser Willie Noone revealed that Bus Éireann could have gotten agreements on a number of changes to the work practices it outlined to staff yesterday.

However, he said clarification was needed on a number of elements, including redeployment plans and plans to axe a number of routes.

Earlier yesterday, the National Bus and Railworkers' Union warned that the "dogs in the street" know what will transpire at a picket where Bus Éireann and Irish Rail share depots.

Dublin Bus staff are being warned that the company is "strike breaking" by moving buses to other garages.

There could be flashpoints at depots like Broadstone, where Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus workers' garages are side by side. It is understood that Dublin Bus will put contingency plans in place by moving buses, including tour buses, to the Harristown garage to avoid any difficulties.

"We have been hearing, through the 'grapevine', that staff at Bus Éireann will take a negative view of Dublin Bus moving buses, with some even describing it as potential 'strike breaking'," said the NBRU in a notice to members.

It said it had heard rumours that workers may take things "into their own hands" and ignore union advice on official strike action. It said Dublin Bus' actions could "open up a new flank" to what may become "a very nasty industrial relations dispute".

In a letter to staff yesterday, acting chief executive Ray Hernan said the measures outlined - including the abolition of overtime payments for training - were a first step but more cuts are on the way as "things cannot continue as they are".

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He said a €30m survival plan to be finalised next month is likely to result in job losses in some areas.

However, he said this was to safeguard the maximum number of jobs possible.

"A strike is not in the interest of the company, staff or our customers," he said.

In a statement, the company described its finances as "perilous", but said further talks aimed at urgently resolving these challenges would be welcome.

Bus Éireann lost €9.4m last year and losses for last month are already over €1.5m.

Transport Minister Shane Ross called on the parties to engage in talks to resolve "this difficult industrial relations situation, which threatens to greatly inconvenience the travelling public, especially those in rural Ireland".

He said in relation to the small number of route changes announced by the company, the National Transport Authority is conducting a transport needs assessment and will ensure "connectivity".