MEMBERS OF STAFF at Dublin Bus have overwhelmingly rejected a Labour Court recommendation that they get an 8.25% pay increase.

Workers at the company had sought pay rises of up to 30% in order to bring them in to line with Luas drivers, but have been told they should be paid less than a third of that.

Today, 95% of members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), which represents mostly drivers, as well as 96% of drivers and 95% of clerical staff who are in SIPTU, rejected the deal.

The NBRU’s Dermot O’Leary said the rejection showed drivers would not stand for “being left behind” and has said a strike could be on the table.

“The idea that workers should have to potentially suffer restrictions on what is already a meagre pension is simply not tenable, there is a palpable anger among bus workers after suffering two cost-cutting plans and no pay award in eight years.

We will now consult with our fellow trade unionists with a view to coordinating a united response in order to get Dublin Bus and its paymasters in government to understand that bus workers will no longer tolerate being left behind.”

SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy, said workers were angry.

“Worker representatives in the clerical and traffic grades have reported that their members expressed anger at the proposals presented by the Labour Court.

“These workers have not had a pay increase since 2008.”