SIPTU has confirmed it will attend talks next week at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) concerning plans to privatise some routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. Other parties to be represented at the talks include the National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.SIPTU Utilities and Construction Division Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: “SIPTU has been campaigning for some time against the flawed and ideologically driven plan being pursued by the NTA to outsource up to 10% of routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann.“We have received an invitation from the LRC to attend exploratory talks. However, the reality is such talks will come to little unless the NTA changes its approach and bins its illogical part privatisation agenda. This agenda will prove to be a bad deal for the taxpayer, the travelling public and the workers who provide the public transport system.“SIPTU made it clear to the former Minister for Transport, the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications and others that our members will take whatever action is necessary to resist this plan. Nevertheless, we are happy to take the opportunity to outline again to the NTA our analysis of its destructive policy.”Owen Reidy added: “It is not yet clear whether this intervention from the LRC will affect the march that the NBRU is organising on Wednesday, 23rd July. SIPTU was invited quite recently to support the NBRU march and we are happy to provide whatever assistance is required. Whether this march proceeds or not is a matter for the NBRU.”
SIPTU accepts invitation to LRC talks on bus route tendering dispute
