Strikes loom over bus route privatisation plan
Following the decision of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) earlier this week, Siptu confirmed it is to begin balloting its driver members in the two bus companies for strike action from next week.
The decision comes as talks with the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority, and the companies at the Labour Relations Commission broke down on Monday.
Siptu organiser Owen Reidy said his members were left with “no option” but to ballot for industrial action “up to and including strike action”. “This follows a threat to privatise routes without the agreement of our members or assurances from the two bus companies concerning the security of workers’ terms and conditions of employment.”
Siptu sector organiser Willie Noone said the union would also consult with other grades and with members in Irish Rail. The ballot of members will take place between April 7-10.
Earlier this week, the NBRU confirmed it would also ballot its members in Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, and Irish Rail in the belief that the plans could weaken the CIÉ group as a whole.
General secretary of the NBRU Dermot O’Leary said the process would take a number of weeks because of the wide geographic spread of its members. Mr O’Leary also confirmed the union’s intention to initiate High Court proceedings against the NTA’s implementation of the Government’s privatisation policy.
Siptu and the NBRU each represent about 50% of the drivers in Dublin Bus, while the NBRU represents about 66% of Bus Éireann drivers.
In a statement, Bus Éireann said it had not been notified of any ballot for industrial action “nor are we privy to the details of any plans for a legal challenge regarding the privatisation of some bus routes” and, as a result, it could make no comment.
Dublin Bus also said it had not received official notification of a ballot for industrial action and had no further comment.
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