Commuters face travel chaos over Dublin Bus action
Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union served strike notice on the company earlier this week, after Dublin Bus told them it would implement productivity and cost reduction measures from tomorrow.
We wish to advise customers that due to potential industrial action, services may not operate this Sunday,check here or website for updates.
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) August 2, 2013
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dublin Bus spokeswoman Clíodhna Ní Fhátharta said that the size of the Dublin Bus operation meant it was not possible to put a contingency plan in place.
“The best contingency plan at the moment is that people would come into work, and we would urge them to reconsider that and not disrupt our customers.”
Dublin Bus says it needs to save €11.7m to return the company to stability.
The company said it has spent 14 months negotiating productivity and cost reduction plans with unions. In June, the Labour Court backed the company’s plans.
However, when balloted, Siptu and NBRU members rejected them and threatened strike action.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said public transport should be run in the interests of the passengers and not in the interests of management or unions.
Mr Varadkar said: “There is no more room for delay. Both sides should do everything to agree the necessary savings in order to avoid disruption on Sunday.”
Siptu’s transport organiser Willie Noone said staff are not willing to return to work after tomorrow’s strike action if the company insists on implementing its current cost-reduction plans.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr Noone said the union would welcome further discussions as an alternative to strike action.
The Department of Transport said it would like to see further engagement in order to avoid disruption.
- Customers are advised to visit or follow @dublinbusnews on Twitter for updates prior to travelling.
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