Dublin Bus strike, Day 3: Transport Ministers’ hands-off attitude ‘cowardly’

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

'It is time that Ministers Varadkar and Kelly made an effort to try and resolve this dispute properly instead of hiding behind Dublin Bus management'

SINN FÉIN Transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has described the refusal by Ministers Leo Varadkar and Alan Kelly to hold emergency talks with Dublin Bus management and striking workers as “cowardly”.

The strike is in its third day.

The Dublin TD repeated his call from last week for the ministers to engage workers and Dublin Bus management in an attempt to resolve the ongoing dispute over cuts to drivers’wages.

Deputy Ellis said:

“This government have shown no real regard or respect for the work done by Dublin Bus drivers and the service they help to provide through Dublin Bus.

“They have shown no real desire to support vital public transport services like Dublin Bus and simply seek to force cuts on lower and middle-income workers and reduce services.

“It is time that Ministers Varadkar and Kelly made an effort to try and resolve this dispute properly instead of hiding behind Dublin Bus management who have been handed down budget cuts and not forced to make any sacrifice themselves.”

•  Dublin City Sinn Féin Councillors Mícheál Mac Donncha and Larry O'Toole (centre) at Clontarf garage with strikers

UPDATE: On Monday evening it was announced that all parties would return to Labour Court talks with bus services hoped to resume Wednesday morning.