Dublin Bus staff to have terms and conditions restored ahead of schedule

Cuts to terms and conditions for staff at Dublin Bus are to be reversed much earlier than anticipated.

The controversial 19-month cost-saving plan was scheduled to run until the summer. However, the measures, including cuts to overtime, Sunday and premium rates, are to be ended early on a phased basis following the company’s return to profitability.

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) told members following a meeting with management that the company would meet various grades of staff shortly to outline “a phased re-introduction of terms and conditions beginning in mid-March”.

Dublin Bus said it met with unions representing staff in the company to discuss the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation (on cost-saving measures), which was scheduled to expire in June 2015.

“The reinstatement of certain terms and conditions contained within that recommendation will be discussed between Dublin Bus and the trade unions. “

The company, in its statement, did not comment on its specific plans for the restoration of terms and conditions.

A dispute over cost-saving plans at Dublin Bus led to a three-day strike at the company in August 2013, following an attempt by management to implement changes to work practices without agreement.

Ultimately, a cost-saving plan was put in place towards the end of 2013.

The NBRU said it had written to Dublin Bus management several weeks ago pointing out that the Labour Court recommendation on the cost-saving plan provided for an acceleration clause which would give effect to an early restoration of the terms and conditions to all staff if the company returned to profitability.

The union said in its note to members that it had reminded management that a separate pay claim which it had submitted to the company last April also needed to be addressed.

As part of this claim, the union is seeking the payment of two outstanding increases dating back to a previous national agreement – a 3.5 per cent increase due from April 1st, 2009, and 2.5 per cent from October 1st, 2009.

Figures published last year showed that Dublin Bus had recorded a net surplus of €500,000, compared with a deficit of €3.8 million in 2012.

Cash fares on Dublin Bus rose by more than 7 per cent last November. In 2013, Dublin Bus announced fare increases of more than 10 per cent. In 2012 the increases were in excess of 18 per cent and in 2011 prices jumped by more than 20 per cent.