National bus strike still a possibility

Bus passengers could still face a national strike at the start of the May bank holiday unless Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann managements and the National Transport Authority address drivers’ concerns over the opening of routes to private tender.

There are two driver unions at the two companies, National Bus and Rail Union and Siptu.

At this stage, the NBRU has only indicated that industrial action on May 1 will include a two-hour protest march to the Dail in Dublin and similar protest marches across the country.

However, the union has said it will not reveal full details of its plans until a week before the action.

Siptu construction and utilities organiser, Owen Reidy said a one-day stoppage "may not achieve our aim of protecting our members terms and conditions". It is looking for meetings with the NTA and bus company managements by April 24.

Warning if members' concerns are not adequately dealt with, it will meet to consider issuing formal notice of "substantial" industrial action on both companies.

At least one of the unions could escalate the action to a full stoppage on May 1.

Talks over the privatisation of the bus routes at the Labour Relations Commission broke down on March 30 after which the two driver unions, balloted their members for industrial action.

NBRU general secretary Dermot O’Leary said: “Our concerns in relation to the future of both companies along with the future of Irish Rail as part of the CIÉ Group have actually been heightened during the LRC process.”

The unions fear that any transfer of services to private operators will drive down the terms and conditions of their members. Throughout the talks, they have demanded that guarantees be given that their members entitlements will be protected.

The NBRU yesterday called on the other unions in the two bus companies, including Siptu to join with it in its day of protest on May 1.

The National Transport Authority said it was very disappointed at the proposed union action “following their withdrawal from ongoing talks at the LRC” adding customers would be greatly inconvenienced as a result.

Bus Eireann said it had been officially advised of the NBRU’s intention to carry out industrial action for two hours on May 1. It said the action was regrettable but it would seek to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Dublin Bus also urged the trade unions not to take any action that could have a negative impact on customers.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said he was disappointed at the unions' withdrawal from talks.

He said the LRC process "was also focused on protecting the terms and conditions of any employees who do transfer to other operators and it was made clear during the discussions that their pensions provisions would also be maintained".

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