Absenteeism at Bus Éireann has doubled, leading to cancellations of services after the company implemented new rosters for drivers in the east of the country.
Yesterday 16 bus services in that region were cancelled, though Bus Éireann says that number has fallen to eight today - meaning 99.2% of services are operating normally.
A spokesperson said that absenteeism has doubled from 6% this time last year to 12%, at a time when absenteeism is falling elsewhere in the economy.
She cited public service statistics from last year revealing an absenteeism rate down to 3.9%.
Drivers are unhappy with the temporary new rosters affecting around 400 drivers in the eastern region.
However, Bus Éireann notes that unions accepted a Labour Court ruling providing for new rosters earlier this year following a major dispute.
The National Bus and Rail Union said that the new rosters impose hardship on drivers through shifts of 12 hours or more, meaning they have less time with their families.
NBRU General Secretary Dermot O'Leary has said there could be chaos and a "flashpoint" when Bus Éireann moves to roll out the new rosters nationwide from 29 October.
Bus Éireann says it is planning to recruit additional drivers to address any shortages.
Earlier this year Bus Éireann sought radical reforms and cutbacks in a bid to address mounting losses which threatened its viability and solvency.
A spokesperson for the company said the latest estimate for losses in 2017 stands at €16 million.
Part of this is accounted for by the industrial action earlier this year, and includes National Transport Authority fines for failing to provide services.
It also includes loss of earnings for three weeks of the strike, some losses of revenue form the Department of Social Protection for free travel, and other business lost to competitors.
Responding to Bus Éireann's comments, SIPTU sector organiser Willie Noone said: "The attempt by the management of Bus Éireann to place all of the blame on its drivers for the poor service being provided to the travelling public in the east of the country is deplorable. Our members made the company aware prior to the schedule changes that it announced recently that they could not be operated as advertised.
"Management was made aware that all the necessary drivers had not been route trained, it knew that certain journeys could not be done in the times allocated and that rosters showing people working through the night on shifts of nearly 13-hours duration were not workable."
