Labour Court says 14 Bus Eireann drivers have no severance right after tender loss

The Labour Court decided that 14 Bus Eireann drivers were not entitled under their registered employment agreement to choose severance when outbased depots closed after the company lost a tender. The decision was signed on 12 December 2019. The NBRU and SIPTU argued that the drivers had a pre-existing right to leave with a severance package when an outbased location closed. Bus Eireann said such a right applied only when the company itself decided to close a location. The Court found that the agreement did not provide a severance right when the National Transport Authority’s tender decision caused a depot closure beyond Bus Eireann’s control. The drivers could transfer to the new operator or another depot; those transferring to another location would receive a €16,000 lump sum.