Deal made after 12 months and five attempts to get staff to agree to cost-saving measures
Drivers at Dublin Bus belonging to the SIPTU union have now voted overwhelmingly against taking further industrial action.
Of the 1,300 balloted, 72% were against taking strike action. It has taken over 12 months of negotiation and five attempts to get staff to agree to the cost-saving measures required in order to save €11.7m and remain a viable entity.
Another 1,200 drivers in the NBRU as well as other SIPTU workers had already voted to support the proposed measures.
“The acceptance of the cost reduction proposals by a majority of their colleagues in previous ballots indicated to bus drivers that any strike action would not have the level of unity and support which would be required to successfully fend off the proposed cuts,” said SIPTU organiser John Murphy.
Dublin Bus welcomed the result, admitting the last few years had been difficult for employees who worked together to implement a number of cost cutting and change programmes. The company has lost €84m over the past five years, while government subvention has been reduced from €65m this year to €60.4m for 2014.
The immediate changes proposed by the company will come into effect on Sunday 17 November. Dublin Bus is looking to build on this opportunity along with recent advancements in implementing real time information systems to ensure the company returns to financial stability.
