Signif icant moves to end Bus Éireann strike as talks focus on managers’ pay

SIGNIFICANT moves to end the bitter Bus Éireann strike, which has entered its third week, were made at the Workplace Relations Commission yesterday.

The talks focused on the higher paid managers also accepting pay cuts or longer hours at work.

Management offered to increase their working week from 36 to 39 hours, or to take an 8% pay cut in lieu.

However, union negotiators said there is no way to verify the additional working hours as management grades don’t ‘clock-in’.

Some bus staff – earning up to €1,190 a week – could see their pay, allowances and overtime reduced by up to €300. The negotiating teams arrived at Lansdowne House in Dublin at 11am yesterday.

Sixteen days of strike by the State-owned company’s 2,500 employees has increased bitterness between the five trade unions and the firm’s management.

Yesterday’s talks centred on the 1,400 drivers only, as they need to reach an outline deal before the other grades – such as mechanics and clerical staff – can sign up.

These other grades will be invited to talks today, if progress is made.

Any outline settlement is likely to be referred on to the Labour Court for a final peace and productivity deal. Union chiefs have said they would not accept any cuts in pay or conditions but have softened that position with talk of ‘efficiencies’.

They also want senior managers to face pay cuts to

Bosses offer to take 8% cut or work longer

make it easier to sell a deal to their members.

Siptu’s transport organiser Willie Noone said that, over the past 16 days of the strike, his members ‘have remained resolute in their position. They will not accept unilateral changes to their terms and conditions of employment’. They will also not start down a road that would see their terms and conditions of employment forced into line with those of the lowest paid workers in the transport sector, he said.

Despite the resumed talks, the five trade unions said the disruption by their members and the picketing of Bus Éireann depots will continue.

Bus Éireann managers did not comment on the resumed peace talks.

They are trying to secure cost savings of between €12m and €30m a year to fend off growing losses – especially on the Expressway interurban bus service.