Commuter chaos - Mass protests must not be repeated
In reality, the unions have scored an own-goal through this ill-judged, counter-productive action which should have been averted.
How pointless the protest was became patently clear last week when the Labour Relations Commission met union demands for a conciliator in their row with the Government over plans to break up CIÉ and privatise some bus routes.
If their intention was to deliver a broadside across the bows of Transport Minister Séamus Brennan, the unions have only succeeded in alienating public support, making life more difficult for tens of thousands of people, and causing severe problems for retailers and other business interests.
Little wonder, therefore, that the nationwide stoppage has been roundly criticised, and rightly so. If ever there was a protest that should have been called off, this was it.
From one end of the country to the other, stranded commuters had every right to vent their anger as they unwittingly became the victims of this bitter row between the CIÉ group of unions and the Government.
Having said that, however, Mr Brennan must also carry his share of blame for effectively keeping the workforce in the dark about his plans for making bus and rail services more efficient by opening up markets and exposing the State-run monopoly to the cold winds of competition.
It is time the minister listened to what frustrated workers in his employ are saying. He should take cognisance of their fears and appraise them of his intentions in relation to CIÉ and Dublin Bus by outlining his plans in clear, transparent and unequivocal terms.
But after yesterday’s action, the unions have only themselves to blame for the deep-seated belief they are merely trying to block change. While it is one thing to take a principled stand against privatisation, in no way could that justify holding the public to ransom.
Anybody who ever had to stand for three hours in a crowded train between Dublin and Cork will readily endorse the views of Tánaiste Mary Harney, who made the point that, if anything, yesterday’s action merely highlights the importance of competition in transport services.
Few will disagree with her contention that CIÉ staff must embrace change to achieve better services for the public. Acutely aware of the raw nerves in union circles, she also reassured them jobs will not be affected by the break-up of CIÉ.
As evidenced by the angry mood of 1,000 bus and rail workers who marched on Leinster House, the unions and the Fianna Fáil-PD Coalition are now on collision course.
In the final analysis, however, it is unrealistic of the unions to blindly resist the introduction of competition through privatisation and the opening up of markets.
But Mr Brennan also has a bounden responsibility to take on board the union’s offer to be willing partners in the process of public transport reform, provided they are really treated as partners and not as mere employees.
It is time for cool heads to prevail. On the bottom line, there should be no repetition of yesterday’s unofficial mass protests which inflicted chaos and disruption on the beleaguered travelling public.
