Bus chaos looms as drivers vote to strike

Significant disruption to bus services has moved a step closer after Siptu drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann voted by more than 90% in favour of strike over plans to open up 10% of bus routes to private sector tendering.

The ballot resulted from the breakdown of talks at the Labour Relations Commission involving unions, company managements, the National Transport Authority (NTA), and the Department of Transport.

Siptu divisional organiser Owen Reidy said: “This result demonstrates the significant frustration among drivers in both companies at the lack of progress in addressing workers’ concerns over the NTA plan to privatise 10% of bus services.