Seven-day bus strike to hit 250,000 commuters daily

A national bus strike on seven days next month could affect up to 250,000 commuters a day — and driver unions are warning more 24-hour stoppages will follow unless their concerns are addressed.

Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), the two unions in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, have announced they will hold 48-hour stoppages on May 1-2 and 15-16. NBRU said it will also hold a further 72-hour strike on May 29, 30, and 31 and warned of a “significant programme of industrial action through the coming months”. As Siptu drivers would be unlikely to cross the picket line, that would mean no services on those days either.

The unions say the stoppages are over the refusal by both companies to address workers’ “major concerns” over what will happen to members if the National Transport Authority privatises 10% of bus routes.