SIPTU met with Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, this week to discuss our ongoing Respect Transport Workers campaign. The campaign aims to improve protections for public transport staff against anti-social behaviour and abuse.
SIPTU is proposing the establishment of a stakeholders forum, a dedicated transport police unit and a passenger charter to address these concerns.
“We had a productive meeting with the Minister and his team,” said Adrian Kane, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser. “We shared the results of our survey highlighting the rise in anti-social behaviour and the need for a strong government response.”
John Murphy, SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, added, “The Minister committed to continued engagement on this issue. He will consider our proposals for a dedicated transport police force and a user charter for public transport.”
“We will be releasing the findings of a second survey in early April,” said Kane. “This survey focuses on the concerning rise of drug use and racialised abuse on public transport.”
SIPTU’s campaign will continue until effective solutions are implemented to address the security concerns of transport workers.
Pictured above: SIPTU delegation meeting with the Minister for Transport today (Thursday, 28th March) in Government Buildings in Dublin. (Left to Right) SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, SIPTU NEC members and Dublin Bus worker, Stephen Millane, SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Adrian Kane, Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, Dublin Bus driver, Suzanne Armstrong, LUAS worker, John Doyle and SIPTU NEC member and Irish Rail worker, Tommy Wynne.