Bus strike ends after talks

Buses and passengers were absent from Belfast city centre on Friday

Most Citybus services in Belfast have returned to normal on Saturday after a two day strike by drivers.

The drivers have accepted proposals drawn up between management and union representatives following negotiations.

The dispute centred on financial support for drivers who had been assaulted or threatened.

One of the proposals was the setting up of a task force to review how drivers are dealt with after an assault.

Ciaran Rogan: Task force to be set up

Translink spokesman Ciaran Rogan said: "The task force has to take a complete look at how drivers are brought back into work after an attack."

'Angry'

Driver Sean Smith, who has been attacked five times in the past 18 months, said his colleagues were angry at the way the company was treating men like him.

"As part of my rehabilitation I had to go and see a counsellor about getting treated for stress and trauma.

"I was to go to the counsellor on 4 December at 10.30 in the morning.

"I needed off my bus for one hour to go and the company's response was 'we're paying for your treatment so you can go in your own time."

Union leaders said, despite major inconvenience during one of the busiest shopping periods in the year, the public had been largely supportive.

Drivers on Ulsterbus routes along the Falls and Lisburn Roads joined the dispute on Friday which disrupted services to the Twinbrook and Poleglass estates on the outskirts of the city.