An estimated 60,000 commuters face their fifth day of travel disruption as bus drivers based at the Harristown depot in north Dublin continue their strike action.
The Labour Court has invited Dublin Bus management and unions to attend talks this weekend but has warned the unions that any escalation of the dispute to involve Dublin Bus garages other than Harristown would make an intervention by the court more difficult.
Commuters face more disruption as the bus strike enters its fifth day
The dispute centres around new rosters for drivers assigned to operate two new cross-city routes which the company wants to introduce. Drivers are also opposed to new scheduling that means they will have to start, break and finish work in the city centre.
More than 100 drivers at the Harristown garage in north Dublin began industrial action on Monday as planned after a driver, who refused to drive a bus on one of the new routes, was suspended by Dublin Bus management.
Siptu branch organiser Willie Noone said the Labour Court invitation followed discussions between the parties and the court earlier this week. "This is a positive development. The fact that the court has had an opportunity to discuss the issues with both sides and feels it can continue to play a useful role is hopeful.
Michael Faherty, general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) said: "We presume they came to the conclusion that it was worth having another go at it. At 4pm we received some correspondence inviting us in on Saturday morning."
Dublin Bus released a statement stating that it would attend the talks.
The main areas affected are Finglas, Swords, Ballymun, Blanchardstown, Donabate, Portrane, Dunboyne, Littlepace, Tyrrelstown, Damastown, Portmarnock, Kinsealy and Kilmore.
The following routes have no service: 4, 13, 13a, 17a, 27b, 27c, 33b, 37x, 39x, 39b, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40n, 70x, 83, 102, 105, 127, 129, 142, 230, 237, 238, 239.
The following routes have a limited service: 27x, 37, 38/a, 38c, 39, 41, 41c, 41x, 43, 70/a, 270.