Irish Bus Drivers To Take Action Over Job Cuts

The union representing drivers at Dublin Bus and coach operator Bus Eireann said their action was in response to plans to axe 270 jobs.

Irish bus drivers voted on Monday for industrial action in protest at proposed job cuts, while other unions warned of a general rise in unrest as a deepening recession strains labour relations.

The union representing drivers at Dublin Bus and national coach operator Bus Eireann said their action, which may include a nationwide strike, was in response to plans to axe 270 jobs and other changes that would potentially "decimate" members' earnings.

"The National Bus and Rail Union has received an overwhelming mandate from its members ... to engage in industrial action," it said in a statement, adding that it would announce details on Tuesday.

Ireland's government faces a wave of protests over plans to introduce a pension levy on the country's 350,000 public sector workers and freeze their pay in a bid to squeeze a ballooning budget deficit.

Clerical workers in the public sector have already vowed to hold a one-day strike and unions are planning a protest march on Saturday.

As the former "Celtic Tiger" economy unravels into its worst ever recession this year, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit has soared to a record high and the government's popularity is at an all-time low.

One of Ireland's biggest unions, SIPTU, said the government and employers should agree to a "solidarity pact" to spread the burden of economic recovery equitably or risk a serious backlash.

"Unless the concept of a pact is grasped within the next few days, and certainly at the latest within a few weeks, there is every possibility that the situation will escalate dramatically out of control," SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor said in a statement.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation also issued a statement urging members to attend a wider union protest planned for Saturday.

"Government will have to listen to a good, strong message from Irish workers," it said.