THE PROSPECT of a strike at Dublin Bus from this weekend has heightened following a decision by drivers at the company to reject settlement proposals drawn up by the Labour Court in a dispute over a controversial cost-containment plan.
Drivers at the company, who are members of Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), voted very narrowly against the proposals last night.
The Irish Times understands that the decision to reject the Labour Court proposals was carried by about two dozen members of the NBRU and by a handful of drivers in Siptu.
The unions called on the company to allow them space to consult shop stewards and members following the vote.
However, a spokeswoman for Dublin Bus said the company would be proceeding with the implementation of its cost-containment plan at the weekend.
She said the company was losing €500,000 a week and could not afford to delay any longer.
She said Dublin Bus management had gone through all the industrial relations mechanisms in the State and had accepted all the compromise proposals put forward.
Dublin Bus told unions in a letter earlier this week that no further concessions were possible.
A dispute at Dublin Bus could affect about 450,000 passengers.
However, the general secretary of the NBRU, Michael Faherty, last night warned the company “against any move to introduce its cost-cutting proposals unilaterally on Sunday”.
He urged Dublin Bus “to allow for a period of reflection to allow the union to consult with its shop stewards and members”.
Siptu branch organiser Willie Noone also called on the company to provide space for him to consult members and identify the outstanding issues that needed to be addressed. In its settlement proposals, the Labour Court said Dublin Bus could go ahead without delay with plans to take 120 buses from its fleet. It also proposed that weekend overtime earning potential for drivers be increased.
It also said 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 believed, could generate savings in the region of €350,000.
Dublin Bus is attempting to address a potential €31 million deficit this year.