Siptu to attend LRC to discuss Greyhound dispute

Representatives of workers at Dublin waste management firm Greyhound are to attend the Labour Relations Commission today to discuss a pay-related dispute at the company.

About 80 Greyhound workers have been protesting since June, when a pay cut of more than 30 per cent was proposed by management, with Siptu maintaining the employees have been locked out.

The workers say the proposal is unacceptable, but Greyhound claims the staff – previously employed by Dublin City Council – are paid about 60 per cent above the industry average. The reduction being sought would see staff still earning 10 per cent above the norm, the company says.

Workers say that up to 100 new employees have been hired by Greyhound since June at lower pay rates following their refusal to accept the cuts.

Siptu said the meeting was a welcome development that would provide an opportunity to appraise the situation and see if there was “any potential for meaningful talks with the company”.

Greyhound said it welcomed the involvement of the LRC and was open to engagement. It said it would be meeting the commission tomorrow to provide an update on its position.

Company chief executive Michael Buckley yesterday told RTÉ Radio's Drivetime that Siptu had reached pay agreements with other firms in the sector which were lower than those Greyhound was proposing.

He denied the company had not done its due diligence before acquiring the waste business from the council and said Greyhound needed to make savings to survive in a more competitive market.

The workers and their supporters have been picketing Greyhound’s plant in Clondalkin, and the company has obtained court injunctions to stop them from blocking its vehicles and staff when entering and leaving the premises.