ABOUT 450,000 Dublin Bus passengers face serious disruption to services from the weekend after next following a vote by drivers to reject recommendations brokered at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on a new cost-saving plan.
Dublin Bus said last night it would now move to implement its own original cost-effectiveness plan which would involve about 290 staff layoffs, including 160 probationary drivers, and the removal of 120 buses from its fleet.
The company said it would put the plan in place from Sunday March 29th.
It said it was facing a potential loss of €31 million this year unless urgent action was taken and it could delay no longer. However, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) said any move by the company to implement change without agreement would trigger industrial action.
Trade union Siptu said its members were adamant that the company should not attempt to implement any cost-cutting plans until negotiating procedures were exhausted. Nearly 90 per cent of NBRU members at the company and 80 per cent of Siptu members voted to reject the settlement deal put forward at the LRC.
This compromise cost-cutting plan would have seen the reduction of 120 buses in the fleet go ahead but the move to make 160 probationary drivers redundant would have been dropped.
There would have been no compulsory lay-offs but a voluntary redundancy scheme for senior drivers would have been put in place.
However, overtime earnings would have been reduced for drivers at the company.
NBRU general secretary Michael Faherty said last night: “The impact of the cost-cutting plans on drivers’ wages and conditions, coupled with the reduction of 120 vehicles in the bus fleet and the adverse effect this would have on services to commuters was so severe that they felt they had no alternative but to reject the proposals.”
Siptu branch organiser Willie Noone said: “Quite clearly drivers do not accept 120 buses must be taken out of the fleet and they are also very anxious to protect their job security.”
Dublin Bus said it noted the rejection of the LRC settlement proposals with disappointment.
“Given the current economic climate and the company’s serious financial situation the company are of the view that these proposals, worked out after 10 days of negotiation, represent a very reasonable and practical compromise in dealing with the issues raised by drivers.
“Under the LRC proposals all driving staff would retain their current pay rates and there would have been no requirement for compulsory redundancy.
“Dublin Bus like all other companies face significant challenges as a result of the current economic climate and project losses for 2009 will be €31 million unless urgent action is taken.”
The dispute could now go to the Labour Court.
