Union seeks clarity after Bus Éireann drivers in Cork had wages docked after red weather warning

Ellen O'Donoghue

The National Bus and Rail Workers Union (NBRU) have said they are seeking clarity from Bus Éireann after several bus drivers in Cork had their wages docked last month.

A number of drivers chose not to report for work on the grounds of health and safety, after Met Éireann issued a Red Alert weather warning for rain ahead of Storm Bert.

Bus Éireann said the safety of its staff is of "paramount importance," and they cancelled a number of West Cork services due to the weather warning.

However drivers who failed to turn up for work on other routes were issued with formal warnings and their wages were docked.

Dermot O'Leary of the NBRU, told Newstalk that the union is trying to understand Bus Eireann's decision making process in the matter:

"Our role is that when things fall down, which they have clearly fallen down here, is to make sure that our drivers are represented in their ability, first of all they get the money restored to their pay packet and then for us to gain an understanding from Bus Éireann, how they make those decisions around those type of red alert warnings.

"This is the first occasion where I’ve seen a public transport company taking the decision to run services in the middle of a red alert warning and we need to understand that," Mr O'Leary said.

Drivers have said they feared they would not be able to get home if they went to work, and were following Met Éireann’s advice not to travel during Storm Bert.