Bus driver unions face threat of legal action

Lawyers for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann filed a plenary summons with the High Court yesterday afternoon against its two driver unions for the losses it faces as a result of last week’s strikes.

Ahead of the stoppages last Friday and Saturday, the companies had warned the unions, Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union, they would seek compensation from them for loss of earnings, fines imposed by the National Transport Authority for failure to provide the service as well as compensation for reputational damage.

Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus said the action purported to be in compliance with Section 8 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 but it was not a trade dispute as it was against plans to tender out 10% of public routes to private operators which was a decision of the National Transport Authority and nothing to do with the companies.