Update 4.30pm: A strike by Dublin Bus drivers will go ahead after fresh discussions between management at the company and unions representing staff broke down.

Workers are due to walk off the job in three 48-hour stoppages this month – on September 8, 9, 15, 16, 23 and 24.

Unions say it’s only fair that bus drivers and Luas drivers are paid the same wage.

A meeting between all parties earlier this afternoon has failed to resolve the issue.

NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said: “We did advise in advance of our meeting that parading all parties through the door to create what has now transpired to be a false and misleading impression that the issue of pay could be magically resolved, was something that staff and commuters would find intolerable.”

He criticised “this ritualistic marching of people in and out of buildings, creating as it were an impression that the workers are being intractable”.

He added: “The NBRU is committed to finding a resolution to this pay dispute in the interests of staff and commuters alike.

“However, it takes more than the commitment of one party to effect an agreement. Shirking responsibility or remaining aloof is not conducive to settling this dispute. The onus is now on the shareholder to unshackle the restraints on Dublin Bus and allow it the opportunity to work with its staff towards finding a solution.”

Earlier:

Unions representing striking drivers at Dublin Bus are meeting with management at the company this afternoon.

The meeting is aimed at averting strike action planned by drivers over six days this month.

Drivers are due to walk off the job in three 48-hour stoppages on September 8, 9, 15, 16, 23 and 24.

Workers say they want pay parity with Luas drivers who got an 18% wage hike this summer.

Unions, including Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union, will meet with management at Dublin Bus Head Offices this afternoon.