MANAGEMENT AT Dublin Bus has warned trade unions that the industrial relations process over a controversial cost-containment plan has reached the end of the road and that no further concessions are possible.
The results of ballots of drivers at Dublin Bus, who are members of Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union, on compromise proposals drawn up by the Labour Court last week will be known today.
There have been suggestions in recent days that these settlement terms may be rejected by drivers.
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.
Dublin Bus said it was available for meetings “to deal with any issues relating to the documents and its implementation between now and Sunday next”.
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.
