National News

Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and C.I.E Holding Company

As you are aware, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann made announcements in January of this year regarding possible job cuts. In addition, Irish Rail informed us, that they needed to reduce costs by between 28-32 million euro. They expect that this would also lead to a reduction in their headcount. The Holding Company also told us that once they knew the full scale of staff reductions within the operating companies, they would come back to us with their own streamlining proposals.

Regretfully, since then, very little information has emerged from the companies regarding where the axe will fall and who is likely to be affected. Your union Reps have attended a series of meetings with Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, Irish Rail and the Holding Company to discuss possible redundancies, cost saving measures, etc. However, so far, your employers have failed to provide them with concrete detailed proposals on how they intend to deal with these issues.

Your Reps have told your employers, in no uncertain terms, that these meetings should be negotiating forums, so that they can fight to preserve your livelihoods. Regretfully, your employers have set-up 'so called' consultation processes that have so far serviced no purpose whatsoever. On your behalf, you Reps have strongly objected to this and demanded that proper negotiations take place.

We know that this is a time of huge uncertainty for all of you. No doubt that the famine of information - and concrete proposals - coming from the companies is leading to creeping anxiety. Please rest assured, that your union will do all it can to protect your job and keep you informed of developments as they break.

Jim Kavanagh: Irish Organiser

Registered Office: Nerney's Court, Off Temple Street, Dublin 1