Bus unions defiant over strikes in spite of High Court threats

Unions say they will vigorously defend their right to strike as Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus prepare to lodge High Court papers against them today.

The companies are to initiate legal proceedings against Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) for financial losses arising from a two-day strike on Friday and Saturday.

Five further days of industrial action are planned for the coming weeks.

Siptu organiser Owen Reidy said both companies should spend more “time, energy and money” resolving the substantive issue rather than demonising the unions.

“We have a window of 11 days now before the next dispute. Hopefully everyone will seize that opportunity,” he said. “Going to the court doesn’t assist that. It doesn’t create a dynamic for reconciliation but they will do what they will do.”

The two-day strike took place on Friday and Saturday over plans to put 10 per cent of bus routes out to tender. A 48-hour strike by members of the National Bus and Rail Union and Siptu is due to take place on May 15th-16th.

Tánaiste Joan Burton called on unions and management to resolve the impending action as soon as possible. She said a huge amount of inconvenience had been caused to customers and the companies had suffered substantial losses after the strike.

Ms Burton said the only way to resolve this was for both parties to sit down, effectively ruling out further Government intervention. Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe last week made guarantees that drivers would not have to transfer to private companies under the tendering plan.