Dublin Bus staff warned by Luas outcome

THE tough stance taken by Luas management earlier this year scared Dublin Bus employees into backing the 11.25% pay deal over three years negotiated at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) 10 days ago.

Union chiefs warned the bus drivers that Luas drivers rejected a good pay offer and, after six further days of strikes, ended up settling for inferior terms. This warning, and Transport Minister, Shane Ross’s ‘stand-aside’ policy, scared a majority of both National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) and Siptu members into accepting the latest offer.

Members of the NBRU voted by a 79% majority to back the deal while the rival Siptu members accepted it by a 58% majority, with both unions having a 90% turnout.

The days of prolonged strikes leading to improved pay offers may be ending and may force gardaí, teachers, nurses and other bus and rail workers to reassess their planned strikes strategy.

Before they voted, bus drivers and other Dublin Bus staff received a message that stated: ‘Would you accept that the lads in the Luas did something similar to what you are suggesting and ended up on six days more strikes, and more importantly accepting a lesser offer than the one they were originally offered?’

This was to frighten some shop stewards who thought that if they rejected the improved offer they might get an even better one after a few more days’ industrial action. Both unions did not make a specific recommendation to accept or reject the amended pay offer, but the reminders of what happened to ‘overambitious’ Luas drivers helped get it over the line.

Bus Éireann employees are now voting for industrial action. The firm stance of the Government and Dublin Bus management may make them think twice about how quickly their action would produce a Bus Éireann management cave-in.