The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) have today expressed concern for small businesses and employees nationwide after the commencement of Bus Eireann strike action on an "almost no-notice basis."
The Association has warned that the expectation by unions that the Bus Eireann shareholder will bail out "unsustainable work practices" is regrettable and unrealistic.
ISME CEO, Neil McDonnell said, "This strike will severely impact small businesses and their workers. Tens of thousands of commuters have been left stranded as a result of today's actions. Businesses will be without staff and retailers will lose sales."
The strike was also heavily criticised by the Small Firms Association (SFA) and Ibec.
SFA Director, Patricia Callan commented, "This strike is unjustifiable. Bus Eireann operates in a deregulated, competitive market and states that it is losing €50,000 each week and is facing insolvency. In order to survive, work practices will need to change and cost efficiencies gained. The threat by the NBRU of spillover action to Dublin Bus and Irish Rail is entirely reprehensible and must be stopped."
Director of Employer Relations at Ibec, Maeve McElwee said, "The sensible path forward is for the two sides to this dispute to sit down and iron out a solution; everyone knows that the company is in a very severe financial situation. It is in no one's interest to follow a path of industrial action."
Meanwhile, some lightening research conducted yesterday by IrishJobs into the effects on workers has found that 40% Of workers were not ready for the Bus Strike. The research amongst 1,304 respondents found that 40% had not made alternative plans for travelling to work.
Source: www.businessworld.ie