More than 90 per cent of Dublin Bus drivers have rejected a deal on work practice changes that included pay rises of almost 15 per cent in some cases.
The State public transport company’s 1,700 drivers voted on Thursday on a deal backed by Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) that offered pay hikes approaching 15 per cent in return for work practice changes.
According to The Irish Times, the drivers overwhelmingly rejected the deal. More than 90 per cent voted against the proposals, it emerged after the ballot was counted on Thursday night.
Reacting to the news, Dublin Bus said it noted the result of the drivers’ ballot on the deal. “The company will now consider this result,” it added.
Neither Siptu nor the NBRU commented. The Irish Times reports that they will issue a joint statement on Friday.
While the deal allowed for pay rises of almost 15 per cent in some cases, drivers were known to be unhappy with proposed work-practice changes sought in return.
Part of the plan requires workers assigned to one or two particular routes to drive various services operated from the garages at which they are based.
Others are concerned that the proposals could increase the amount of time they spend driving within their 39-hour week.
Last month a Siptu-NBRU statement recommending the deal to members, acknowledged that the unions did not like elements of the plan, but pointed out that they had secured pay rises and improved bonuses.
