[1/2-5-2015] bus strike announced for these dates

[ThomasJ]

So Dublin bus and bus eireann drivers are expected to strike on the 1st and 2nd may over plans to privatise part of their service . no buses on these dates

Question is, presuming they go ahead, what position does this put Irish rail in, in particular with the proposed works north of pearse on the 2nd? Surely this will have to be called off?

http://m.rte.ie/news/transport/2015/0420/695373-siptu-bus/

[Jamie2k9]

IE reviewing it, expect they will cancelled until June or just carry works out on the Sunday/Monday.

[Inniskeen]

There may be a significant cost for Irish Rail in rowing back at this stage. Bit of a lose-lose situation. I am afraid. Also the bus dispute may well affect the June weekend also.

[Jamie2k9]

Prehaps the NTA may cover any costs with the state funding both bus operators will lose? I really cant see IE being able to go ahead as if they do I expect you will see the transport minister get involved.

[ThomasJ]

Dates the strikes are planned for

1st/2nd may 2015 (siptu)
15th/16th may 2015 (siptu)
29th/30th/31st may 2015 (nbru)

[Mark Gleeson]

NRBU are unlikely to cross a SIPTU picket and vice versa so no service on those dates

[shweeney]

expect the Dart will be much busier on those days - too much to hope IR might use 8 car sets for every service?

[Inniskeen]

Would be surprised if sets were bigger than normal, especially on the Friday, as although the fleet is way bigger than required for current operations, many of the sets are likely to be unavailable awaiting repairs of one sort or another.

[James Howard]

Another issue would be that Irish Rail drivers may regard adding to sets as scabbing and will refuse to drive them.

[ThomasJ]

Will be curious to see if irish rail will accept bus tickets on strike days. Doubtful I know.

[berneyarms]

Will be curious to see if irish rail will accept bus tickets on strike days. Doubtful I know.

One word answer on that - no.

For anyone lucky enough to live near the rail lines or the LUAS, you will have to pay your own way.

Strikes are completely different situations to normal service breakdowns I'm afraid.

[James Howard]

If it's like the way the last rail strike operated, you should be able to claim refunds for all strike days if you have a bus pass whether or not you regularly travel that day. For weekday commuters, given that some strike days are on weekends, that should cover Luas or train fare if you can use those methods.

[Jamie2k9]

Another issue would be that Irish Rail drivers may regard adding to sets as scabbing and will refuse to drive them.

While I don't expect much extra capacity such moves by drivers would be considered gross misconduct and fair grounds for them to be dismissed.

One would hope that IE staff know which side their bread is buttered on!

Solidarity will achieve nothing.

The NBRU didn't follow through on their threat as they knew IE would take legal action I suspect.