Bus strike 'a direct result of Government's privatisation policy'

FRIDAY and Saturday's bus strike is "a direct result of this government's decision to begin to privatise bus routes across the state," says Sinn Féin Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan.

Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services are not running for 48 hours as drivers voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action following the decision by the National Transport Authority to put out 10% of bus routes to private tender.

Talks aimed at averting the strike at the Labour Relations Commission broke down last night without agreement.

Speaking in support of the striking workers, Lynn Boylan MEP said the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe had done nothing to allay the legitimate concerns of workers:

"While it is unfortunate that the strike will cause major disruption to many commuters across the state, the privatisation of these vital services will inevitably cost the public more," she said.

The Dublin MEP pointed out that in many other parts of Europe, privatisation schemes saw a hike in bus fares for consumers and lower wages and a deterioration in working conditions for staff.

“The Government should listen to the concerns of bus drivers on this issue and roll back on its privatisation plans and come up with a real investment plan for public transport,” said Lynn Boylan.

Meanwhile, the National Bus and Railworkers' Union (NBRU) has hit out after Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann sent letters threatening legal action to recover lost revenue as a result of the strike from the NBRU and SIPTU.

General Secretary Dermot O'Leary said:

"It is unfortunate that the companies have chosen this course of action to threaten our members; we balloted our members in relation to what we contend is a genuine trade dispute, the Companies would be better served if they concentrated their resources on working with other responsible stakeholders in resolving this dispute rather than attacking their own staff."