Galway bus drivers agree to end unofficial strike action

10/11/2005 - 11:51:36
Around 130 Bus Eireann drivers in Galway have agreed to return to work at midday after taking unofficial strike action this morning.

Thousands of commuters were left stranded when the drivers failed to turn up for work in protest at the award of a new school bus contract to a private contractor.

The action led to the cancellation of local services in Galway city and also affected a number of national Expressway routes.

The company insisted the stoppage was unjustified, saying the contractor was only brought in temporarily to alleviate "overloads" on one particular school bus route.

However, it has agreed to enter talks with workers' representatives tomorrow to discuss their grievance.