A GROUP HAS been established with a sole aim of resolving the ongoing dispute at Dublin Bus.
The government set up the group following a joint proposal from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and IBEC. The organisations want an urgent investigation to find a way to progress the Labour Court recommendation relating to cost reduction measures.
Dublin Bus workers (at driving grade) have rejected the company’s savings plans and have voted for industrial action.
The Department of Transport said that the group, which has already held its first meeting, is making “immediate arrangements to engage external expertise to carry out a detailed investigation on its behalf, including discussions with management, trade unions and drivers”.
It is tasked with identifying the issues in the proposals which have led to their rejection by drivers, as well as possible solutions. It will also make recommendations, including a timescale for implementation.
Members include the Secretary Generals of the transport and jobs departments, ICTU general secretary David Begg and IBEC chief Danny McCoy.
In a statement today, the Department of Transport said that the government, ICTU and IBEC are all “conscious that the continued deferral of the implementation of cost reduction measures places employment in the company at increased risk”.
The Government, ICTU and IBEC are also of the view that a final effort should be made to resolve the matter without further strike action, which would be very disruptive for commuters and could have very serious consequences for the company, its employees and for the economy.
Bus drivers went on strike for three days last month after a dispute with management about cost-cutting measures aimed at saving €11.7 million, of which €7.7 million would come from direct payroll costs.
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