Notice to Members
Pay Claim for Bus Workers
The National Bus & Rail Union, along with other representative Unions attended the Labour Relations Commission today to discuss a long overdue pay-claim for bus workers.
The NBRU put Dublin Bus on notice in April 2014 in advance of a restoration of retrenchment measures that the Company would have to come to the table and discuss a pay rise for their staff.
The NBRU reminded the Company that the sacrifices made by staff in the downturn would have to be recognised by way of a material improvement to Bus Workers terms. Simply put, they (Company) cannot have it both ways, they came to staff for a contribution when they were under pressure, they will now have to reciprocate in a similar fashion.
Workers in Dublin Bus are owed 6% from a previous pay deal, the Company asked in 2009 for a ‘pause’ on this payment. We put the Company on notice that we require an answer to this outstanding issue in advance of any further discussions.
Workers have suffered due to decisions taken by the current Fine Gael/Labour Government and are floundering under a barrage of direct and indirect taxation.
The cost of living has increased drastically regardless of what figures are used and workers are trying to survive on the wages from a previous decade.
Whilst our pay claim is based on sound logic, incorporating and reversing the Company’s own reasoning for pay reductions in the first palce, Bus Workers should be aware and perhaps ask some legitimate questions of those in the broader Trade Union movement who have decided to throw their lot in with the Government by agreeing to keep pay rises below the level of what workers are both owed and entitled!!
Members should note that the above observation is not designed to criticise those who represent Bus Workers, it is our sincere desire to work with all those who have the singular objective of working towards the improvement of the terms and conditions of all Bus Workers.
Management stated that they have no formal response to our claim for a pay rise, other than todisappointingly attempt to dampen the reasonable and justifiable expectations of their staff. They have indicated that they will respond to the pay claim within four to five weeks.
Members will be kept fully informed during all stages of this campaign for a pay rise
Issued by the National Bus & Rail Union
