SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 9th February) announced two 24-hour work stoppages by members employed by the private bus operator Go Ahead Ireland on 1st and 8th March, in a dispute over pay. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “During the planned stoppages, our members will place pickets at the Go Ahead Ireland depots in Ballymount, Dublin 12, and Naas in county Kildare. “SIPTU representatives conducted a ballot for industrial action of our members employed by Go-Ahead Ireland on 20th December. This vote was required due to the refusal of management to engage through the normal agreed process in talks concerning an increase in pay for our members to take account of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. “In the ballot, an overwhelming majority voted for industrial action if management continued to refuse to engage on the issue of pay. Following this vote, management did agree to attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission. However, at these talks it refused to engage on the pay issue separately to other matters. We then referred the dispute to the Labour Court, which the company is now refusing to attend.” SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said: “Our members are frustrated at the refusal by management to engage constructively on the issue of pay rises. The current collective agreement takes no account of the significant additional cost-of-living increases our members and their families are facing. In the UK, the same company has reached an agreement for a significant increase to its employees pay in line with inflationary pressures. We are demanding a similar approach be taken with its, over 300, employees in Ireland.” He added: “SIPTU representatives remain available to engage in constructive negotiations with management at all times. However, due to its approach to this issue we fear industrial action is inevitable.” Go-Ahead Transport Services Limited, known as Go-Ahead Ireland, commenced trading in September 2018. It is a subsidiary of the, UK based, Go-Ahead Group and operates a number of routes previously serviced by Dublin Bus and Bus Éirean
SIPTU announces two 24-hour work stoppages at private bus operator Go Ahead
