Updated 22:54
DUBLIN BUS WILL implement its cost reduction plan from 17 November, despite a ballot last week by SIPTU in which drivers rejected the measures.
NBRU workers in the company voted to accept the new deal which came out of an independent report into its future. The company needs to cut costs to reduce its €52 million deficit.
After the ballots, Dublin Bus said that it would commence with the full implementation of the cost recovery plan for all grades “without delay”.
Today the company said:
Dublin Bus is committed to abiding by the terms of the Labour Court Recommendation and the Independent Investigation Report, and will restore the rates for Rest Days, Overtime and Premium Payments after a period of 19 months from the date of acceptance. These rates will be restored on June 14th 2015.To ensure a return to financial stability and to secure a positive future for all Dublin Bus employees, it is now vital that the implementation of the Cost Recovery Plan takes place without industrial action.
Industrial action
SIPTU will ballot its drivers for industrial action on the basis of the company moving ahead with plans without an agreement with the union next Tuesday. If strike action is decided upon, the company will be given seven days notice.
A source in NBRU told TheJournal.ie last week it would be unlikely that the union’s members would pass any picket placed by SIPTU at depots, which could cause disruption for the city’s commuters.
Dublin Bus said further industrial action at this point “is totally unnecessary given that the majority of employees have accepted the Cost Recovery Plan”.
“It would severely damage the company’s reputation and lead to increased financial losses,” the company said.
‘No basis for further negotiations’
Today Transport Minister Leo Varadkar briefed Cabinet on the need for Dublin Bus to deliver savings under the plan. In a statement, the minister’s department said that Cabinet agreed there is “no basis for further negotiations or interventions as all avenues have been exhausted”.
The Government is fully supportive of Dublin Bus and will stand by the company in the event of industrial action. Any strike will be prolonged and costly for all sides.
Varadkar and his Minister of State Alan Kelly called on SIPTU to join with other grades in accepting the overall result of last week’s ballot results.
They also urged the union’s members not to vote for strike action in their ballot next week.
First published 16:00.
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