Union threatens action over deadline

TRANSPORT worker unions have threatened industrial action in the run-up to Christmas if the Government does not delay its deadline for proposals on the new Dublin Transport Authority.

The General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union, Michael Faherty said his members need more time to consider what it would require from the new authority and said there must be an extension to the December 1 deadline.

Mr Faherty said the DTA involved the widest ranging proposals in over half a century and therefore the NBRU needed assurances the commitments given during negotiations with the Government for the protection of employment and safety standards are going to be delivered in the legislation establishing the DTA.

“The new authority will receive widespread powers and only have a limited accountability to the Minister for Transport,” he said. “It is therefore vital that the legislation provides adequate safeguards to transport workers and the public at large.”

The NBRU has concerns about the futures of its 4,000 members working at Córas Iompar Éireann (CIE).

“We also have concern over how the licensing system will operate under the new regime,” said Mr Faherty. “CIE companies have always been at a competitive disadvantage because the Department of Transport has never enforced the licensing requirements properly on private operators. We do not want to see a dilution of standards or a continuation of this two-tier system of one law for the private transport sector and another for the public sector.”

He said in light of the union’s concerns, it believed the very least the Government must do is provide it with a reasonable period to consider the DTA plan, examine the proposed legislation and seek clarifications on its provisions.

“The December deadline is effectively asking us to buy a pig in the poke. Unfortunately past experience means we would be very foolish to adopt this approach. If the Government cannot accede to our requests then we will have to seek a mandate from our members to take all the necessary action to protect their interests,” he added.

Last night a spokeswoman for the Department of Transport said Mr Cullen would be flexible on the December 1 deadline, but that he was anxious to begin the process of engagement so legislation could be enacted as soon as possible.