Dublin bus drivers are seeking a 30% pay increase following on from the recent agreement struck between the Government and LUAS employees.
Two weeks ago, the General Secretary of the National Bus & Railworkers' Union (NBRU), Dermot O'Leary, wrote to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross TD, to outline dissatisfaction within the the Dublin Bus ranks at the current situation.
Referencing the recent agreement made with the LUAS employees, Mr. O'Leary, whilst welcoming the Minister to his new portfolio, he referenced "industrial action" three times in his letter.
He wrote: "Industrial Action is very much a last resort, and is normally only considered if workers are being unreasonably frustrated in their desire to have terms and conditions improved, particularly as is the case in the CIE Group, after eight years without pay improvement and enduring multiple cuts to terms and conditions."
It appears now that the first moves for a pay increase are in motion. "You can't treat one worker in the same sector different from another" he said.
On Thursday, the Labour Court is due to hear their pay claim, after a previous deal offering a rise of 6% over two years was rejected.
The NBRU are looking for the 18.2% increase secured by Luas drivers, as well as another 12% to account for pay rises enjoyed by their Transdev counterparts in recent years.
