Union warns that unilateral imposition of cuts will have consequences

March 21st: Unite, which represents craft workers in Bus Éireann, today expressed surprise at what it termed management’s ‘high-risk’ strategy and warned that any move to unilaterally impose cuts is likely to trigger strike action.  Unite Regional Officer Willie Quigley was responding to reports that Bus Éireann management intends writing to employees announcing the unilateral implementation of effective cuts to their terms and conditions.

Commenting, Mr Quigley pointed out that today’s reports are just the latest instance of Bus Éireann threatening the unilateral imposition of cuts, and he expressed surprise that management would make this move given recent intensive engagement with unions at the WRC and the provision of clarification by drivers’ unions as requested by the company.

“Bus Éireann’s decision to once again threaten unilateral imposition of cuts, notwithstanding recent intensive engagement at the WRC, is a high-risk strategy which could well backfire given the collective decision by all unions involved to take immediate strike action in the event of management proceeding unilaterally with cuts”, Mr Quigley warned.

“Unions have engaged in good faith with Bus Éireann management at the WRC and have provided all the requested clarification.  The Board is due to sign off on the company’s accounts next Monday, and we would urge management to use the window before this deadline to continue engaging with unions rather than imposing cuts unilaterally.

“It is increasingly clear that all stakeholders need to be involved in developing an efficient and sustainable public transport strategy going forward.  Regional bus transport must be central to such a strategy, and I would urge Bus Éireann management to refrain from doing anything which could threaten the company’s continued existence as a key player in Ireland’s public transport landscape”, Willie Quigley concluded.