Bus Éireann job threat as cost cutting rejected

Bus Éireann has warned its staff that job losses “may be unavoidable” after one of its biggest unions announced its members had overwhelmingly rejected cost-saving measures proposed by the Labour Court.

Last June, the company confirmed it was seeking €20m in savings, €9m of which it wanted to generate through changes to the terms and conditions of its staff. Its proposed savings programme was rejected by Siptu and, in December, the company said it was pressing ahead with a number of measures to cut overtime rates and shift payments, increase working hours and cut holiday entitlements.

A major strike appeared to be on the cards, but the Labour Relations Commission stepped in and an uneasy peace was brokered. The matter was referred to the Labour Court and, in February, it made a series of recommendations which still included cuts to overtime, shift payments and sick leave arrangements as well as a longer working week.