DUBLIN BUS

SAVINGS of £8 million are planned at Dublin Bus over the next two years, with about 150 job losses anticipated. Labour costs account for 60 per cent of expenditure.

Dublin Bus lost £10 million last year, bringing accumulated losses to £24 million. Already revenue - this year is £1 million behind budget. It is proposed to reduce management, clerical, craftworkers, and night maintenance staff by 20 per cent each. Management will be required to be more flexible, and will be employed on a fixed contract basis with an emphasis on "individual responsibility".

New clerical staff will also be required to be flexible. Part time, seasonal, relief and contract staff will be employed at a lower flat hourly rate.

It is proposed to replace remaining two person operated buses with one person operated ones "immediately", saving £1 million annually. Staff affected will be offered redeployment or voluntary severance. Rates of pay for new staff at the company must be negotiated as "there is no justification for new staff benefiting" from productivity deals agreed over the years. Overtime rates for rest days, Sundays, and public holidays are to be "adjusted", while payments for loss of Sunday working will stop.

There is to be a "thorough" review of all procedures and practices to reduce accidents, which now cost the company £9 million annually. Compensation payments for operational changes and for rostering changes are to be renegotiated. Future voluntary severance will be paid only when suitable work is not available.

A bonus scheme to reduce absenteeism is to be "redesigned" and the self certified illness scheme "will need to be reviewed". It is also proposed to contract out school bus services.

The proposals will be negotiated between management and unions, with an assurance that "any proposals from the staff side will of course be considered". However there must be agreement by all "to achieve savings of £8 million".