Dublin Bus passengers face disruption this weekend after unions narrowly rejected compromise proposals on cost cutting.
The company is now set to implement plans to plans to take 120 buses from its fleet on Sunday which could prompt industrial action by drivers.
Members of the National Bus and Rail Union and members of Siput voted narrowly to reject Labour Court proposals on cutbacks at the bus company. NBRU General Secretary Michael Faherty called on the company to allow for a “period of reflection” and cautioned against any move to introduce cost cutting plans on Sunday.
Siptu’s Willie Noone also called on the company to “provide space” for consultation with drivers.
Management at Dublin Bus yesterday warned trade unions that the industrial relations process over the controversial cost-containment plan has reached the end of the road and that no further concessions are possible.
In a letter to the two unions yesterday, the company said it had accepted the Labour Court’s recommendation and that given its current serious financial position, it had to implement the cost-containment plan from this Sunday.
In the letter to the unions, the company’s human resources manager Gerry Maguire said: “Given that we are at the end of the line in as far as the industrial relations machinery is concerned, and with no more concessions possible by the company, rejection of the proposals would mean a lot of hardship on our customers and indeed will also create financial hardship for the staff in the event of a dispute occurring.”
“In this regard, I would urge your offices to impress on staff that the Labour Court recommendation is as much as can be accepted from a company’s point of view,” he said.
In its settlement proposals, the Labour Court said Dublin Bus could go ahead without delay with plans to take 120 buses from its fleet. However it also proposed that weekend overtime earning potential for drivers be increased.
It also said that there should be no dilution of current shift pay arrangements.
However it proposed changes to current paid meal break arrangements for drivers which the company believes could generate about €350,000 in savings.
Dublin Bus is seeking to implement new cost-saving measures in a bid to address a potential €31 million deficit this year.