Siptu members vote for industrial action at Dublin Bus

Stoppages to Dublin Bus services are likely in the coming weeks after Siptu members at the company voted overwhelmingly to engage in industrial action amid a pay dispute.

About 95 per cent of the drivers balloted within the last two days voted for action up to and including strikes, while 80 per cent of Dublin Bus clerical workers aligned to Siptu expressed their support for work stoppages.

The union represents some 1,600 members of the company’s 3,300 workforce, and 1,100 drivers at the company are Siptu members.

“This result today demonstrates the determination of members to bring this pay dispute to a fair conclusion,” said Siptu organiser Owen Reidy.

“Drivers and other workers at the company have not had a pay increase for eight years, have suffered reductions in earnings over the recessionary period and have been through three comprehensive restructurings during that time.”

The row over salaries has escalated over the last month, after unions rejected a pay rise of 8.25 per cent offered to workers by the company.

They also rejected a recommendation by the Labour Court of pay rises of 8.25 per cent over three years for Dublin Bus workers.

Last week, some 1,500 members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) at the company voted to engage in industrial action.

Dublin Bus drivers are keen to bridge an impending pay gap with Luas tram drivers, who will benefit from salary increases of up to €11,000 over the next four years following an agreement in June.

Discussions

Union chiefs have stated a willingness to continue discussions with Dublin Bus management over the dispute, but said that failure to reach an agreement could lead to strikes taking place before the end of August, or even an indefinite stoppage.

“We would urge Dublin Bus to return to the bargaining table immediately to reach a new agreement to avoid the very real prospect of 24- and 48-hour stoppages and perhaps an indefinite all-out strike in Dublin Bus,” said Mr Reidy.

Speaking earlier this week, NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary accused Dublin Bus management of ignoring the rejection of the 8.25 per cent offer by workers.

Disruption to bus services in the capital may coincide with another wave of industrial action by Iarnród Éireann staff, who remain in a dispute with their employer over payments for past productivity and reduced working hours.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has repeatedly expressed his unwillingness to intervene in talks, despite the imminent threat of strike action.