The National Bus and Rail Union says it will meet with management at Dublin Bus on Friday, to discuss ways to avoid industrial action by drivers.
Advertisement
Talks are to get underway on Friday afternoon in an attempt to head off six days of planned strikes next month at the State-owned bus company, as part of a dispute over pay.
The three 48 hours work stoppages will result in a complete shutdown of Dublin Bus services on Thursday 8 and Friday 9September, Thursday 15 and Friday 16September, and Friday 23 and Saturday 24September.
Dermot O’Leary, the NBRU general secretary, accused management and civil servants of making no effort to resolve the dispute.
Transport Minister Shane Ross has welcomed the announcement of further discussions.
In July, Dublin Bus staff overwhelmingly rejected proposals from the Labour Court for a cost-of-living pay increase for each employee of 2.75pc a year for a three-year term, back-dated to January 2016.
However he stressed that “the first building block in the process being the requirement for the Company to recognise and address the challenge thrown down by the rejection of the Labour Court Recommendation”.
Luas drivers secured pay increases of about 18 per cent over four years as part of a settlement reached in June following a lengthy dispute at the Dublin tram service.
Owen Reidy, Siptu’s organiser in the transport, energy, aviation and construction sectors, said the pay demands – 15% over three years along with other payments – was fair and reasonable.
Advertisement
He said workers are entitled to a share and they will not allow their pay to stagnate any longer. Over the last five years there has been an increase in passenger numbers and revenue is up 30%.
