[article] Bus and rail strike threatened by union

Navan Junction · 28-11-2006, 06:03

Olivia Kelly, Irish Times, 28th Nov 2006

Thousands of commuters and shoppers could be left without public transport in the run-up to Christmas if the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) goes ahead with a threatened strike.

The NBRU has said it will seek a mandate from its members for industrial action if the Government does not extend the December 1st deadline for submissions on the proposed Dublin Transport Authority (DTA).

The unions's general secretary, Michael Faherty, said workers had been given the proposals less than two weeks ago, even though they had been with the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen since last March.

The NBRU had not been given time to properly consider the proposals and formulate a submission and had not received answers from the Department of Transport to requests for clarification, he said.

The DTA will have responsibility for transport in the Greater Dublin area, which includes Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, with control over strategic transport planning; procurement of public transport infrastructure and services; regulation of fares; delivery of an integrated public transport system; traffic management; demand management and data collection and research.

Mr Faherty said the union needed until at least January 1st to formulate a response.

A spokeswoman for Mr Cullen said he was flexible on the submissions deadline, but was anxious to publish the legislation before Christmas.

PaulM · 28-11-2006, 09:20

Who'd have seen this coming. I say fire them. We pay their wages.

Derek Wheeler · 28-11-2006, 20:29

Its been brewing since Margaret O'Mahony completed her report and submissions were invited. Its also well known that December 1st is a red herring anyway. I doubt anything will be enacted before christmas.

As for the threat of a strike? While I understand why the NBRU want to make a submission, to threaten strike action in the run up to christmas over it, once again highlights how backward, outdated and senile union management are. In my opinion it is a childish and amateur position to take. NBRU staff are free to read the report and make submissions on an individual basis anyway. You know, I often wonder do transport unions give the staff a bad name?

28-11-2006, 06:03	#1
Navan Junction Really Regular Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Navan Posts: 305	[article] Bus and rail strike threatened by union Olivia Kelly, Irish Times, 28th Nov 2006 Thousands of commuters and shoppers could be left without public transport in the run-up to Christmas if the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) goes ahead with a threatened strike. The NBRU has said it will seek a mandate from its members for industrial action if the Government does not extend the December 1st deadline for submissions on the proposed Dublin Transport Authority (DTA). The unions's general secretary, Michael Faherty, said workers had been given the proposals less than two weeks ago, even though they had been with the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen since last March. The NBRU had not been given time to properly consider the proposals and formulate a submission and had not received answers from the Department of Transport to requests for clarification, he said. The DTA will have responsibility for transport in the Greater Dublin area, which includes Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, with control over strategic transport planning; procurement of public transport infrastructure and services; regulation of fares; delivery of an integrated public transport system; traffic management; demand management and data collection and research. Mr Faherty said the union needed until at least January 1st to formulate a response. A spokeswoman for Mr Cullen said he was flexible on the submissions deadline, but was anxious to publish the legislation before Christmas.

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28-11-2006, 09:20	#2
PaulM Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 826	Who'd have seen this coming. I say fire them. We pay their wages.

28-11-2006, 20:29	#3
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	Its been brewing since Margaret O'Mahony completed her report and submissions were invited. Its also well known that December 1st is a red herring anyway. I doubt anything will be enacted before christmas. As for the threat of a strike? While I understand why the NBRU want to make a submission, to threaten strike action in the run up to christmas over it, once again highlights how backward, outdated and senile union management are. In my opinion it is a childish and amateur position to take. NBRU staff are free to read the report and make submissions on an individual basis anyway. You know, I often wonder do transport unions give the staff a bad name?