Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD87393 Case Number: LCR11293 Section / Act: S67 Parties: C.I.E. - and - CIE TRADE UNION GROUP |
Claim on behalf of rail operative workers for the use of privilege tickets on DART Feeder buses.
Recommendation:
5. The Court, after careful consideration of the submissions, and
having regard to the fact that staff are entitled to commuter
tickets at reduced rates, does not recommend concession of this
claim.
Division: CHAIRMAN Mr McHenry Mr O'Murchu
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD87393 THE LABOUR COURT LCR11293
CC861536 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1976
RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR11293
Parties: CORAS IOMPAIR EIREANN
and
IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS/
CORAS IOMPAIR EIREANN RAIL
OPERATIVE TRADE UNION GROUP
Subject:
1. Claim on behalf of rail operative workers for the use of
privilege tickets on DART Feeder buses.
Background:
2. Workers who hold Privilege Ticket Identity Cards are entitled
to purchase rail tickets at a reduced rate (50% of the normal
single fare). Reduced rates of travel are not available on bus
services. When DART Feeder bus services were introduced an
inter-ticketing arrangement was brought in to use which allowed
for the purchase of one ticket for a journey on both the DART and
Feeder Bus. In February, 1986 a general circular was issued by
management which stated that privilege tickets could be purchased
by workers for use on DART Feeder Buses. This facility was
subsequently withdrawn by management who state that it was
introduced in error. In June, 1986 the Union on behalf of the
workers served a claim on the Company for the use of privilege
tickets on DART Feeder buses. At local level the Company rejected
the claim on the basis that privilege tickets are not intended for
use on bus services. On 22nd January, 1987 the matter was
referred to the conciliation service of the Labour Court and on
27th February 1987 a conciliation conference was held at which no
agreement could be reached. On 13th May, 1987 the matter was
referred to the Labour Court for investigation and recommendation.
The Court investigated the dispute on 18th June, 1987.
Union's arguments:
3. (i) The present ticket arrangements on feeder buses mean
that a person can now buy rail tickets at places other
than stations (i.e. on a bus). This change has not
been accompanied by the necessary change in the
ticketing system, as privilege tickets are not
available on DART Feeder buses. The Union cannot see
the reasons for this change in practice. Privilege
tickets were available for use on the Feeder buses in
the early period of operation of the system. The
Company's explanation that the issuing of these tickets
was an error is an inadequate explanation. Management
obviously made a conscious decision to restrict the
availability of privilege tickets on these new
services.
(ii) The title of this service, i.e. DART Feeder Buses,
implies that it is an integral part of the Dublin
suburban rail system. The arrangement for the purchase
of through tickets which is unique, means that
concession of this claim could not be used by the
Unions to advance claims for any further concessions on
Bus Eireann or Bus Atha Cliath services. The Feeder
bus system is a unique feature of the Dublin DART
system.
(iii) Change is an important part of the public transport
system. The introduction of the DART Feeder Bus system
which is a desirable and necessary change should not be
used to lessen the concessionary fare arrangements
which have been in existence for so long.
Company's arguments:
4. (a) Reduced rate travel is not allowed on bus services with
two main exceptions (details supplied to the Court).
Under these arrangements concessionary travel on the
DART Feeder buses does not qualify. Other travel
facilities are available to workers (details supplied
to the Court) including the purchase of commuter
tickets at 33 and one third per cent of the cost price
to the public (Labour Court Recommendation No. 3157,
refers), which can be used on DART Feeder buses. The
cost of a commuter ticket works out at 30p a day to the
worker and this concession more than meets the Group's
claim. The present travel facilities enjoyed by the
workers are generous.
(b) The Labour Court has previously investigated and
rejected claims on behalf of busworkers for
concessionary travel on buses (Labour Court
Recommendation Nos 4598 and 9157 refer) and the
arguments used at that time are still relevant. If
privilege tickets were available for use on feeder bus
services there would consequently be a claim for an
extension of the concession to cover all buses serving
rail stations throughout the Company's rail network.
It would also have application for all other operative
grades and would have to be extended to salaried staff.
The introduction of such a facility which would also
apply to the spouses and dependant children of the
workers would therefore apply to approximately 27,000
people, and would lead to further congestion of the
limited capacity available on buses.
(c) Coras Iompair Eireann has now been divided into three
operating companies each of which must meet the
financial targets laid down by the Government. The
introduction of privilege tickets on feeder buses would
obviously have implications for the Company's finances
and would impede Bus Atha Cliath from meeting its
targets.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. The Court, after careful consideration of the submissions, and
having regard to the fact that staff are entitled to commuter
tickets at reduced rates, does not recommend concession of this
claim.
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Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
John M Horgan
3rd July, 1987 --------------
U.M./U.S. Chairman