Trade unions Siptu and the NBRU said they would oppose compulsory redundancies and unilateral cutbacks at Bus Éireann after the company confirmed today it is to cut some 322 jobs and withdraw 150 buses from service.
The move is part of a major restructuring of its operations to help the bus firm reach break-even this year. Buses will be withdrawn by the end of next month.
Siptu sectoral organiser Willie Noone said after a meeting with management today: “This has created an air of uncertainty that affects every employee, every commuter and every community in the country.”
Mr Noone said the company indicated there would be 230 drivers amongst those laid off, but said there was no offer of a voluntary redundancy plan.
“Bus Éireann said it would outline details of the job cuts at meetings with union representatives in the various areas affected but did not provide any details of when this would be.”
He said there would also be cost savings introduced in areas such as overtime, reductions in sick leave and a pay freeze until at least the end of 2009.
“These proposals run counter to Government transport policy and will impact most on
the elderly, school children, the unemployed and most vulnerable members of society,” Mr Noone said.
“Cuts on such a scale will leave many rural communities without a bus service. We are totally opposed to compulsory redundancies and unilateral cutbacks. We will be consulting our members as soon as we receive details of the proposed cuts.”
NBRU general secretary Michael Faherty said proposals to reduce the bus fleet by 150 vehicles were “both socially retrograde and will only serve to help privatise a company on whose behalf this trade union has spent many years lobbying for extra buses and services”.
“We informed the company that we would await the outcome of talks between the social partners in relation to the non-payment of national wage agreement increases before deciding our position on the issue. Many of the new drivers have young families and have taken on mortgages. They would face serious difficulties if thrown on the dole," he said.
“Any redundancies must be on a voluntary basis and allow the significant numbers of older drivers who have indicated a willingness to exit by a voluntary severance scheme to do so. The proposals from management today are a panic reaction to the crisis, which undoubtedly exists. But it can only be resolved through consultation over a properly thought out strategic plan.”
The bus company employs 2,700 staff and operates a fleet of 1,300 buses, about half of which are used for school transport.
As part of the restructuring, Bus Éireann will trim its schedule of services and possibly cut some routes. It operates extensive inter-city bus services and connections to rural areas, and also runs a network of routes in provincial cities.
Bus Éireann is also planning to put a freeze on recruitment and is expected to defer pay increases due under the national wage deals.