Bus drivers at Ringsend depot yesterday voted for official strike action next week if rosters introduced this week are not amended to their satisfaction by Monday.
A ballot was carried out by both the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and SIPTU at the depot yesterday afternoon following a lightning strike on Monday morning over the length of some shifts. Workers resumed work in the afternoon after drivers scheduled to work the longer shifts were offered an hour's overtime per day for the rest of the week.
A SIPTU spokesman, Mr Noel Dowling, said he was confident agreement would be reached before the deadline. "Up to now the company has been taking the position that they wouldn't change the rosters but now they have to accept that they have got things slightly wrong and have to put them right."
NBRU official Mr Peter Bunting said it was in the interests of both management and employees to reach a settlement. "I think people don't vote in such resounding fashion unless there is a high level of dissatisfaction. I think the company will realise we have a problem here and, hopefully, we will get it resolved rather than allowing the situation to become exacerbated."
Dublin Bus spokesman Mr Joe Collins said the contentious rosters, which affect the 77 and 65 routes, would be examined by the company during the week.
