BUSRAGE Discussions » Industrial Action

1. admin
   Administrator

   From: http://breaking.tcm.ie
   
   Unions representing workers at CIE have agreed a campaign of industrial action to oppose the Government's plans to break up the company and privatise 25% of Dublin Bus routes.
   
   SIPTU, the ATGWU and the National Bus and Railworkers Union have claimed that the plans would cost hundreds of millions of euro to implement and would lead to jobs losses and a deterioration in the service provided to consumers.
   
   The three unions have threatened to cause a "summer of discontent" unless Transport Minister Seamus Brennan agrees to change the plans - something the minister has refused to do.
   
   The CIE unions agreed today to hold a 'no-fares' day on Friday, July 18, when the public will be allowed to travel for free and will be issued with information leaflets about the CIE break-up instead of tickets.
   
   A national day of protest will also be held on August 19, with demonstrations arranged for towns and cities throughout Ireland.
   
   The CIE unions said they would escalate the campaign later in the autumn and during Ireland's presidency of the EU next year if the Government insists on pressing ahead with its plans.
   
   NBRU spokesman Liam Tobin said: "The unions have agreed a co-ordinated and concerted campaign. All of them have a mandate for industrial action to stop the minister from carrying out his plans."

   Posted 5 years ago #

2. Al
   Member

   Well, let’s put it this way…most likely if not for the misbehaviour of bus operations that has been on record even on this forum, there would be less of a reason for Brennan to seek privatisation. Now, mind you, he probably had this privatisation scheme as his goal all along, but the mis-handling of operations has given him a leg to stand on in that regard.
   
   Now, I don’t know myself what was the source of all this bad operations which has so far driven many commuters into cars (pardon the unintended pun), but if the union leadership commanded it, then they have merely shot themselves in the foot, IMHO. If, however, this was the edict of the management side of things, then the unions are a bit late in calling the CIE management to the carpet over this.
   
   Either way, the only result of more union action would be to create more car commuters…unless there is also some union reform.
   

   Posted 5 years ago #

3. Anonymous
   Member

   Indeed, I would think that a more considered media campaign would be the way for the unions to follow here, highlighting the flaws associated with privatisation rather than getting commuters' backs up by taking direct action. This whole plan is still being formulated - I suspect rather badly - and the unions should be trying to influence that rather than simply taking protest action.
   [posted by: Donnybrook Observer]

   Posted 5 years ago #

4. Noel
   Member

   Hi,
   
   Have to agree with the DonnyBrook Observer. I am a daily commuter (and annual bus/rail pas holder) and believe that privatisation of DB will be a disaster. I believe that a Public Transport system should be exactly that, but not for any ideological reasons (I’m a B.Comm!!) but simply because a public transport system is only one part of the equation, road infrastructure/usage/schools, etc also have to be considered and if the buses are run by private companies the Public Authorities will have little or no say in how they (the companies) do things and before anyone mentions fearsome regulator with big stick, can I just say, Central Bank –“recommendations to mortgage lending institutions re multiples of income,- warnings of over fuelling borrowing – pinch of salt!!!)
   
   When (if?) DB strike, I will be one of those who will suffer (I’ll probably have to use up my annual leave) and this will only antagonise those like me who are on the workers side. Seamus Brennan will not suffer, the only time he’s on a bus is for a photo shoot!! DB should draw up proposals of how private companies will do things and highlight specific instances of how the public will suffer, and get these into the media. Don’t make it sound like they are only against privatisation because their employees will lose out, it’s the public they should be defending!
   
   Noel
   

   Posted 5 years ago #

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