Disruption of the State's bus services moved a step closer today after drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann voted in favour of industrial action over proposed cuts to services and manpower.
Members of the drivers' body, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), overwhelmingly backed a proposal for industrial action, up to and including full strike action, if the companies press ahead with their restructuring plans on a unilateral basis.
The companies are seeking to cut 270 vehicles from the both fleets - 120 from Dublin Bus and 150 from Bus Éireann - which could see more than 600 workers laid off, including 270 drivers.
The two State bus companies say they are facing losses of over €30 million each this year unless corrective action is taken.
The companies say the economic downturn has led to a sharp decline in passenger numbers and their restructuring plans are designed to return both companies to a break-even situation by the end of 2010.
The NBRU, which represents 3,200 workers in both companies, will convene a special meeting of its National Executive Council tomorrow, after which it will make an announcement regarding future industrial action.
"Among the measures proposed by the companies are the sacking of 270 drivers, work practice changes that would, in their proposed format, have the potential to decimate surviving members' earnings, severe cuts in services on some routes and the elimination of other routes," it said today.
The union's general secretary, Michael Faherty, said after the completion of the ballot that both companies were “aware that negotiations on any changes cannot commence until such time as the issue of the sacking of the drivers has been satisfactorily addressed".
Dublin Bus said it had not received official notification on the outcome of ballots conducted by the drivers' unions.
"Due to its financial problems, Dublin Bus has no choice but to implement its proposed plan on March 1st. However, the company remains available to have intensive discussions prior to that date," it said.
Both bus companies intend to implement to the first phase of their cutback plans next month by terminating the employment of some 160 probationary drivers.
But NBRU wants the companies to introduce a voluntary redundancy scheme for existing drivers rather than ceasing the employment of probationary drivers before it will discuss the cutback proposals.
Bus Éireann said it would not be appropriate to provide details on the planned changes until it had first met with union representatives. "It is hoped that those meetings would take place shortly," it said.
Following a meeting with NBRU representatives this evening, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey appealed to both sides to enter into talks.
Drivers at Dublin Bus, represented by Siptu, last week also voted in favour of industrial action in response to the proposed cuts.
