COMMUTERS relying on at least 18 Dublin Bus routes may be stranded today as an unofficial protest by drivers over the company’s cost-saving measures continues.
Buses stationed at the Harristown depot in north Dublin were left idle yesterday as workers protested about changes to the service timetables.
Areas affected by the action, which left thousands of passengers stranded, include Ballymun, Finglas, Donabate, Swords, Blanchardstown, Rathmines, Blackrock and Kimmage.
Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), which represent workers at the depot, said the action was not official and is not associated with the trade unions.
Dublin Bus said it was not sure if the protest would spread to other depots and it hoped drivers would return to work as soon possible.
The protest centres on a dispute about a new schedule for the 128 Baldoyle-to-Rathmines service.
The changed schedule was one of a number introduced by Dublin Bus yesterday as part of its plans to take 120 buses out of service in an effort to save €31 million annually.
Unions at the State-owned company agreed at the Labour Court earlier this month to accept the cost-saving proposals.
The action started yesterday when staff at the Harristown depot stopped work in sympathy with a driver on the 128 route, who they said was suspended for refusing to work the new schedule.
The protest then spread to the 4, 4A, 13, 13A, 17A, 27B, 33B, 40, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 83, 102, 128, 140, 237, 238 and 270 routes.
Eugene McDonagh, a Dublin Bus driver based in Harristown and member of the NBRU national executive, said the drivers felt their rights were being infringed by the introduction of the new schedule without full approval of the unions.
The drivers have asked management to delay the cuts on the 128 route until May 10th, but this was rejected.
Dublin Bus last night denied any member of staff had been suspended.
It also said the Labour Court agreement meant that the changes were to go ahead and that the arrangements with drivers on each route affected would be negotiated afterwards.
