SIPTU Bus Drivers will consider issuing formal notice of industrial action on Friday, 24th April, if their concerns have not been adequately addressed at meetings with other stakeholders in the dispute over attempts to privatise 10% of public bus services. The decision to create a deadline for progress in the ongoing dispute came at a meeting of senior SIPTU shop stewards in Liberty Hall, Dublin, today (Monday, 13th April).SIPTU Construction and Utilities Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: “The SIPTU Strike Committee of both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann met today to consider the overwhelming mandate received from our members to continue to oppose the attempts by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to privatise 10% of public bus routes.“The view of the Strike Committee is that a one day work stoppage, or any form of minor industrial action, may not achieve our aim of protecting our members terms and conditions or safeguard the continued provision of a property funded public bus service.”He added: “We are formally seeking meetings with all relevant parties to this dispute by 24th April. If the concerns of bus workers are not adequately dealt with at these meetings the committee has decided that it will meet to consider issuing formal notice of substantial industrial action on both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.”SIPTU Bus Drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann voted by over 90%, in both companies, in favour of industrial action and strike action in a ballot counted on Friday, 10th April. The ballot resulted from the breakdown of Labour Relations Commission (LRC) talks involving the transport unions, representatives of the bus companies, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Department of Transport.
SIPTU declares 10-day deadline to resolve bus dispute
