Dublin Bus to announce start date for controversial savings plan

Management at Dublin Bus is expected to announce tomorrow the date for the implementation of a controversiaol cost-containment plan for the company - a move which could trigger a confrontation with drivers who are represented by the trade union Siptu.

Drivers represented by Siptu last week narrowly voted, by 51 per cent to 49 per cent , to reject the latest cost containment proposals which were aimed at generating savings of around €11 million at the State-owned transport company.

Siptu shop stewards at Dublin Bus were meeting today to consider developments. Siptu represents around half of the 2,300 drivers at Dublin Bus.

Drivers who are members of the the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) voted on Friday to accept the latest proposals aimed at addressing financial difficulties at the company.

Other grades of staff at Dublin Bus - including other personnel represented by Siptu - have also agreed to accept the cost-saving proposals.

In a statement issued after the ballot result last Friday, Siptu said its representatives were available to meet with the management of Dublin Bus in the hope of resolving matters still in dispute.

“It is now up to the company to decide whether it wishes to enter a negotiation process which could resolve this dispute without further industrial action and disruption to services.”