Mr. Patrick McCusker:

My colleague has articulated our shared views on the policy failings that have led to what is being called a crisis in Bus Éireann. However, we are very mindful of and want to reiterate that Bus Éireann staff did not create this issue and, therefore, the resolution does not lie in attacking their terms and conditions.

We cannot overlook the real impact these proposals from management will have on the working families in Bus Éireann, and in particular on their take-home pay. The proposed cuts fail to recognise the significant contributions of staff that work unsociable hours, including loss of quality family time. We know that, statistically, shift workers are at risk of significant health issues.

As a trade union that covers the clerical grades, we are concerned that this grade, having the largest concentration of women workers, is being specifically targeted for pay cuts that put the majority of them well below the average wage in Ireland. According to the CSO yearbook, the average wage in 2016 was €45,000 per annum for full-time work. The proposed cuts from management would put the majority of women workers in the clerical grade in a band of €24,500 to €33,000. Currently, most women workers in the clerical grade earn between €38,000 and €50,000. The continuing undervaluing of women in the workplace, particularly with regard to pay, is a worrying trend. It would be quite shocking that a Minister or a Department would stand over that in 2017.

This is also compounded by the attitude on flexitime for women workers in the clerical grade, which is utilised by staff to help facilitate child care and other caring responsibilities. The image of a well-paid male telling our women members in clerical grades that they are overpaid and must take significant pay cuts is not lost on our members.

There is a major issue with the policy, but we cannot lose sight of the damage that will be done to our members and working people in Bus Éireann.