Bus drivers accept proposals

Dublin Bus drivers who are members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) have today voted to accept the Labour Court proposals on a cost-cutting plan that will reduce the company fleet by 120 vehicles.

The drivers voted by 57 per cent to 43 per cent to accept court's proposals on the plan.

NBRU general secretary Michael Faherty, said after the ballot that although the public would be relieved a dispute has been averted, "they will also be concerned, as our members are, at the serious reduction in services that will now take place".

“It is extremely short sighted of the Government to cut funding for Dublin Bus precisely when demand will increase because of the recession on the one hand and increased traffic congestion in Dublin’s city centre on the other, because of infrastructural projects such as the proposed Metro and Luas extension."

“Everyone dependent on public transport in Dublin will feel the impact of the cuts and our members are very upset at the decision of the Minister to impose such severe cutbacks," Mr Faherty said.

Siptu drivers yesterday voted to accept the recommendation by 56 per cent to 44 per cent after receiving clarification from the Labour Court.

Dublin Bus deferred the introduction of planned cuts to its services last Thursday following the resumption of talks at the Labour Courts with unions.

The cuts, which were due to be introduced on Monday, were postponed to facilitate clarification on the Labour Court's earlier ruling under which it had recommended that Dublin Bus go ahead with plans to take 120 buses out of service.

Under that judgement, proposed changes to paid meal break arrangements for drivers also received the green light. However, the court recommended that weekend overtime earning potential for drivers be increased and said there should be no dilution of current shift pay arrangements.

Drivers who are members of Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union narrowly rejected the Labour Court's plans last week.