Bus drivers' union promises 'summer of discontent' with seven days of strikes
Bus drivers affiliated to the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) are to strike for seven days in May, it was announced today.
The announcement comes after
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The NRBU has now stated that its drivers will "dovetail with our trade union colleagues" in striking on those days, as well as conducting a 72-hour stoppage on May 29-31.
NRBU general secretary Dermot O'Leary said: "Whilst we have previously announced our intention to keep the disruption to the public at a minimum on May 1, it now appears that initial positive statements from the Minister have not been followed up by actions to get the parties responsible for this anti-bus-worker, anti-travelling-public policy to recognise and address the serious issues at play, this, along with the welcome show of solidarity by our trade union colleagues has led to the NBRU outlining a significant programme of industrial action through the coming months."
"The proposed action will as a matter of course dovetail with our trade union colleagues with a further 48-hour stoppage on May 15 and 16, followed by a three-day work stoppage on May, 29, 30 and 31, the resolution to a protracted dispute along with the prospect of a summer of discontent rests with the Government."
Bus Éireann later issued a statement in response to the announcements by the two unions.
"Bus Éireann has been officially notified of Siptu’s intention to carry out industrial action for consecutive days on two weekends in May, commencing on May 1 next," the statement read.
"The NBRU have previously notified us of industrial action on May 1. We are very disappointed that the threat of disruption to our services has been escalated, which can only damage the business and severely discommode so many customers.
"The company strongly urges the trade unions to reconsider and avoid any industrial action that will adversely impact our customers and their everyday journeys to work, colleges, and those who need to visit family or friends.
"We are also particularly mindful of students starting exams around this time, and many of those who will have travel plans for a busy Bank Holiday weekend.
"Bus Éireann has responded to every request to participate in the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) discussions regarding the decision by the NTA (National Transport Authority) to tender 10% of bus routes.
"We agreed to Siptu’s recent request to meet regarding their issues, and stated that we would do so under the auspices of the LRC, and we still remain available to meet any of the parties involved in the ongoing process.
"These talks include the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Dublin Bus and the trade unions.
"Bus Éireann wants to assure all of our customers that we will make every endeavour to avoid any disruption to services, and we will continue to engage in efforts with all parties to find a resolution to the matter. We will provide further information updates on our website www.buseireann.ie."
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has again appealed to unions to call off their strike plans.
Minister Donohoe said that he still thinks they can accept his assurances about work and conditions - and says the strike will cause unnecessary hassle to thousands of people.
"I believe that they should not happen and I believe in the context of the commitments that I have made in relation to the maintenance of terms and conditions and the commitment that I and the Government have shown to the funding of CIE and to the funding of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and allowing it to grow in the future, I believe these strikes will cause to much difficulty to the companies and the people who rely on those services," he said.
"This will cause considerable disruption across the country, will deprive the economy, which is slowly recovering, of revenue and will cause widespread disruption for the travelling public and those visiting from abroad.
"Both companies are open to compete for the routes that are going out to tender. I have also made it clear that I am open to continuing discussions in a bid to address employees’ concerns. The companies also remain available to resume discussions with the unions at the LRC and I would urge the unions to avail of that in a bid to prevent this strike from going ahead and to avoid unnecessary disruption to the public and to the wider economy."
