Talks between Siptu and Bus Eireann over school bus drivers' pay and working conditions are underway at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in an effort to avert a strike this Friday.
Siptu said these part-time bus drivers remain the lowest paid employees in either the education or transport sectors. If the strike proceeds an estimated 14,000 school children will have to make alternative arrangements.
On Monday, Siptu told Bus Éireann the drivers would begin its plan of industrial action with a one-day work stoppage on Friday, November 30th.
Siptu says over 200 part-time school bus drivers currently earn €11.66 per hour and have no pension entitlements, sick pay or other benefits. Siptu national industrial secretary, Michael Halpenny has said the current pay rate for school bus drivers did not reflect the professionalism and demands of the job.
He said wages were so low, that even if such part-time drivers were allowed work a 39 hour week, many of them would require family income supplement to support their families.
Bus Éireann, however, says the issue has already been raised at the LRC and was rejected by the Labour Court, but insists the company is willing to discuss the matter again.
Siptu says it has been campaigning on behalf of school bus drivers for the past five years and strike action is a "last resort".