Bus drivers protest over night-time attacks

Dublin Bus drivers yesterday staged an unofficial strike causing severe disruption to services in Rathmines, Terenure, Templeogue and Tallaght.

The drivers, who were protesting at the number of attacks on bus crews, particularly at night, said they were particularly worried about an incident in which Mr Les Hughes, a driver, had urine thrown over him last Friday.

Dublin Bus described the action which stranded thousands of commuters as a flagrant breach of company procedures.

Drivers returned to work without any concessions or guarantees from the company.They may now lose pay for their walkout.

However according to Mr Hughes, drivers regularly lose pay by calling in sick after an attack. Mr Hughes said he was scheduled to work over the weekend which would have attracted overtime payments worth about €500. However, because he was forced to go on sick leave, he lost his overtime.

Mr Hughes staged a protest at the Ringsend garage yesterday morning. He was supported by other drivers who may also now lose pay for their four-hour stoppage yesterday. A number of Mr Hughes's colleagues said they too had been attacked and losing pay was a regular consequence.

Dublin Bus initially responded by suspending all the drivers concerned. According to a spokeswoman, the drivers had ignored recognised industrial relations procedures for dealing with such incidents.