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24/06/2009
SIPTU warns Bus Eireann Of Possible Strike
A Siptu Organiser has warned Bus Eireann it must abide by agreements if it is to avoid strike action by workers.
Sector Organiser Andrew McCarthy has written to Bus Eireann’s human resources manager Des Tallon warning him the union will ballot members for industrial action next week if the company "continues to ignore agreements".
The warnings come as Bus Eireann attempts to implement a cost-recovery programme, which would see an estimated 320 jobs go with about 50 routes initially either being scrapped or having their level of frequency reduced.
The company is also planning to introduce revised terms and conditions for staff, including the deferral of payment of the national wage agreement, changes to shift allowances, increased flexibility regarding working arrangements and reductions in overtime.
The company told trade unions yesterday that it would be unilaterally implementing the plan after a deadline it had set passed without agreement. A Bus Éireann representative said passenger numbers had fallen by 10% and that it was currently losing more than €500,000 per week.
However, Mr McCarthy claimed the company would be acting illegally if it attempted to cut drivers’ pay without agreement.
In a letter to Mr. Tallon on Monday, Mr McCarthy wrote: "In the event of the company proceeding to implement its cost cutting plan without adhering to the agreed Industrial Relations Procedure this Union will have no choice but to ballot its members for strike action."
He added that Bus Eireann "must be aware it was illegal to cut pay without agreement" and that Siptu was "very perturbed by the actions of management" which took until the 6th of May to arrange a meeting with the union, despite having been told of our availability from February 16, he claimed.
(DW/BMcc)
Sector Organiser Andrew McCarthy has written to Bus Eireann’s human resources manager Des Tallon warning him the union will ballot members for industrial action next week if the company "continues to ignore agreements".
The warnings come as Bus Eireann attempts to implement a cost-recovery programme, which would see an estimated 320 jobs go with about 50 routes initially either being scrapped or having their level of frequency reduced.
The company is also planning to introduce revised terms and conditions for staff, including the deferral of payment of the national wage agreement, changes to shift allowances, increased flexibility regarding working arrangements and reductions in overtime.
The company told trade unions yesterday that it would be unilaterally implementing the plan after a deadline it had set passed without agreement. A Bus Éireann representative said passenger numbers had fallen by 10% and that it was currently losing more than €500,000 per week.
However, Mr McCarthy claimed the company would be acting illegally if it attempted to cut drivers’ pay without agreement.
In a letter to Mr. Tallon on Monday, Mr McCarthy wrote: "In the event of the company proceeding to implement its cost cutting plan without adhering to the agreed Industrial Relations Procedure this Union will have no choice but to ballot its members for strike action."
He added that Bus Eireann "must be aware it was illegal to cut pay without agreement" and that Siptu was "very perturbed by the actions of management" which took until the 6th of May to arrange a meeting with the union, despite having been told of our availability from February 16, he claimed.
(DW/BMcc)
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