Fearghal O'Connor: The 5 stages of Bus Éireann’s grief

If there is one sure thing about almost every industrial dispute it is that, ultimately, no matter how intractable it seems, a deal will be done.

The announcement yesterday by the NBRU that it would enter exploratory talks was the latest step in the slow shuffle down a well worn path. Like grief, industrial disputes generally pass through a number of distinct and predictable phases.

1) Denial

Financial losses may have been mounting ...