Bus drivers to vote on strike action over job cuts

Bus drivers are to vote on possible strike action over massive cuts which could see around 600 workers at Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann laid-off.

The National Bus and Rail Union tonight said a ballot would open on Thursday as CIE considers plans to slash 270 vehicles from its services and let go 600 workers, including 390 drivers, by the beginning of March.

NBRU General Secretary Michael Faherty demanded management offer adequate redundancy packages.

“We are resolute in our determination to ensure that a voluntary severance package is on offer to staff and it is on a seniority basis,” he said.

“This is the only acceptable solution to addressing any surplus staff issues that might arise.”

The NBRU warned it would not open talks with management unless they addressed issues around probationary drivers amid fears the 170 drivers hired within the last 12 months would be hit in the first wave of redundancies.

The company is not obliged to offer them any severance deal.

The ballot will conclude on Monday, February 16.

Meanwhile, the chief executives of Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann will join Mr Faherty and Siptu representatives will discuss cutbacks in public transport with TDs and Senators tomorrow.

Joe Meagher of Dublin Bus and Tim Hayes of Bus Eireann will be questioned by Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport over the plans to cut jobs and reduce the fleet size.

Last month, Dublin Bus unveiled plans to cut 290 jobs and withdraw 120 buses while Bus Eireann was targeting 322 job losses and taking 150 buses off the roads.

The firms said they were looking to break even by the end of next year.

Committee Chairman Frank Fahey said: “The announcements by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann have created an air of uncertainty among staff and commuters alike.