Ms Anna Perry Labour Relation Commission wrote to Ianroid Eireann Management & the group of trade unions outlining their discussions over the future cutbacks in Ianroid Eireann one of the CIE group of companies.

Ms Perry went on to say that the unions recognise the financial difficulties in Ianroid Eireann and appreciate the need to assist in reversing the situation. Perry states all parties need to work to tight time frame towards sustainability thereby alleviating pressure on basic rates of pay. Ianroid Eireann management are using the same tactics as in Dublin Bus & Bus Eireann accept the deal or we will do something worse to you like come after your basic pay.

Drivers in Ianroid Eireann have already given enough in cuts, there has been a very significant reduction in staff numbers over the last 10 years and other associated productivity and wage rates have remained the same since 2008.

Perry went on to state that a ballot must take place by June 20th and implement by July 9th and that it was reluctantly accepted that failure to agree the cost cuts package that this would lead to the necessity for emergency financial measures of a far less palatable construct.

Over the three CIE group of companies there have been threats made inadvertently to all drivers & employees accept these conditions or we will go harder on you. Perry stated that it was reluctantly accepted to ballot for cutbacks why did the union not ballot for industrial action? Instead they chose to go into discussion with management to further cut their members pay and conditions.

Drivers should demand and call for one day stoppages across all three companies, the Trade Union Groups should be demanding the shortfall in subvention that the government allocated to the public service transport companies.

The cuts to Ianroid Eireann are, immediate reduction of 20% subsistence allowances to all grades, reduction in self certs from 7 to 4 annual, revised approach rule 29B on pension and wages new recruits, elimination of overtime (Under new deal 2000) temporary exit of colleagues on career breaks, 25% in banked annual holidays, freeze on all applications resubmit application not later than January 2015, voluntary severance of 450 positions.

In all three letters wrote to the employees of the CIE Group the chairpersons say that they will leave basic pay alone depending on the accepting of the cut back plan in each company and the economic outlook in Ireland. Drivers should be aware that the economic outlook is not good and year on year the government will take almost 3 & half billion out of the economy over the next three to four years this mean more cuts to subvention year on year and when all your premium rate and overtime is gone then they will cut your basic pay.

Eugene McDonagh SWP Industrial Dept June 2012