COMMUTERS in Dublin are being warned of travel chaos in the coming days as delays and cancellations are expected due to a strike.
Dublin Bus is set to suffer from more disruption tomorrow as a result of industrial action.
Today, people were met with a range of delays to services, with many complaining of cancellations this morning on social media.
A work-to-rule began on Sunday night, which is the reason behind the disruption.
According to the Irish Independent, sources claimed that up to 80 buses at Donnybrook garage were not fueled or cleaned on time this morning, leading to long delays.
It is as a result of maintenance workers carrying out industrial action.
Nearly 200 maintenance engineering workers are looking to maintain a pay link with a higher paid grade of workers, known as traffic operatives.
If achieved, their pay would increase by over 14 per cent.
The maintenance engineering operatives have the job of refueling and cleaning the buses.
When asked about the routes affected, a spokesperson from Dublin Bus said there was “no update”.
Yesterday they apologised for delays caused as a result of the dispute.
A Dublin Bus spokesperson said: “Dublin Bus apologises for any delays caused to some customers due to the ongoing work-to-rule industrial action taken by engineering operatives since Sunday, March 2″.
They added that the Labour Court issued a recommendation to the end the dispute last November.
This was subsequently rejected by engineering operatives.
Dublin Bus has asked unions to suspend the industrial action and engage in talks.
The workers claim was rejected by the court as a prior agreement was made that meant pay rises should be funded by productivity.
The court then recommended talks on a 4.5 per cent pay rise, which was to be based on productivity.
Chairman Kevin Foley explained: “Having regard to all of the circumstances of pay bargaining in the employment, and the detailed submissions of the parties, including the detail of the agreement on self-funding reached in March 2024, the court does not recommend concession of the trade union claim for what is, in effect, a 14.5 per cent pay increase without any concession of productivity or related measures”.
The court noted that talks on the proposed pay rise should then end a maximum of 8 weeks from the date that the recommendation was given on November 12.
Any outstanding issued were then to be directed to the Workplace Relations Commission and the court.
A meeting between unions including Siptu and Dublin Bus will take place on Thursday.
