Passengers to be hit by bus stoppage next month

Bus services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are set to be disrupted on Friday, May 1st as staff stage protests against the potential privatisation of routes.

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) is to stage a day of action in protest at plans by the National Transport Authority to put out to tender 10 per cent of routes currently operated by the two State-owned bus companies.

The union said its members would engage in industrial action on May 1st and that it would set out the details one week in advance. However it said this would include a two-hour protest march in Dublin from Parnell Square to the Dáil from 11am to 1pm. Other protest marches are scheduled to take place in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

Services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are likely to come to a halt during that period at least.

NBRU members in Dublin Bus voted by 92 per cent while those in Bus Éireann voted by 91 per cent in favour of industrial action.

Union sources also said there could be further disruption if there was no progress made at resolving the row over the tendering of the routes.

Last Friday members of Siptu said drivers in the companies which it represents had voted overwhelmingly to back strike action in protest at the potential privatisation of routes.

On Monday Siptu shop stewards decided that if their concerns were not adequately addressed within the next 10 days, they would consider issuing formal notice of substantial industrial action on April 24th.

The Government has strongly backed the National Transport Authority initiative to put out to tender 10 per cent of routes operated by the State companies.

Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will be allowed to compete in the proposed tender process for the routes.

However, unions fear the tendering proposals could lead to the privatisation of routes and would result in a deterioration of their members’ terms and conditions if they had to move to private operators.

The general secretary of the NBRU Dermot O'Leary said: "Despite over seven months of discussions at the Labour Relations Commission, the Government, in the guise of the National Transport Authority, has not moved a jot in addressing the concerns of bus workers."

“The NBRU has been consistent in our opposition to the transfer of any current Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann staff to private companies.”

The Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said it was his strong belief that taxpayer support for improved bus services should be given in conjunction with a degree of competition and he was committed to the tendering of 10 per cent of bus routes being implemented by the National Transport Authority.

“”It is disappointing that the NBRU and Siptu withdrew from discussions being facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission. These discussions had been aimed at addressing employee concerns about how the tendering of 10 per cent of routes might impact them and were making significant progress.

“There was particular focus on facilitating the vast majority of employees to remain in either Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann if either company did not succeed in the tendering process. This was on the basis of growth in bus frequencies on the routes remaining with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. The talks were also focused on protecting the terms and conditions of any employees who do transfer to other operators and it was made clear during the discussions that their pensions provisions would also be maintained.”

Under the current plans, orbital routes in Dublin, such as those between Blackrock and Rialto, and Chapelizod and Tallaght, would be put out to tender.

Bus Éireann routes earmarked for tender include commuter services from Dublin to Tullamore, Portlaoise and Kildare, as well as a number of routes in Waterford city.

Bus Éireann said it was regrettable that drivers were withdrawing from work during the busy bank holiday period. The company said it will try to minimise passenger disruption.

Dublin Bus urged unions not to take action that could have a negative impact on passengers.

It is understood that despite the planned industrial action the National Transport Authority will continue with its planned schedule for putting in place the tendering process for the routes currently operated by the State transport companies.