Talks aimed at averting a bus strike that could affect thousands of children later this week will resume today.
The row between more than 200 Bus Éireann staff and management is over pay levels and working conditions for part-time school bus drivers.
The industrial action, which could affect some 14,000 children, was deferred for a week last Friday after the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
The two sides met again with the LRC on Monday, and talks will resume this morning. Siptu, which represents workers, is seeking parity with full-time Bus Éireann drivers.
According to the union, part-time drivers earn €11.66 an hour and have no overtime rates, pension, sick pay or other benefits. They claim the drivers are among the lowest paid workers in the public transport and education sectors.
Siptu served strike notice on the transport company early last week. Although 90 per cent of the school bus service is contracted out to the independent sector, Bus Éireann employs around 550 part-time drivers, with around 220 belonging to Siptu.
Bus Éireann has argued the union's claims have been rejected by the both the Labour Court and a Rights Commissioner.