Dispute may hit Dublin Bus services

[weehamster]

Now before I start I know this isn't a rail issue but a bus one. However I want to point out how low the NBRU/SIPTU really are and are a real thorn in the side of commuters getting a decent service.

RTE NEWS

Dublin Bus passengers may face disruption from Monday after drivers voted for industrial action.

Drivers based at the Harristown bus depot near Dublin Airport voted to take industrial action over new rosters which the company intends to implement from Monday.

Both members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers' Union voted on the issue.

Drivers from the NBRU voted for industrial action by a margin of 151 in favour to 69 against. Drivers from SIPTU backed industrial action by 91 votes to 63.

The union must give seven days notice of industrial action, but branch organiser Willie Noone said that drivers will refuse to operate the new rosters on Monday.

Mr Noone appealed to the company not to go ahead with the new rosters to allow further discussions to take place.

Dublin Bus wants drivers from the Harristown depot to start, break and finish in the city centre rather than at the depot.

The company says this will allow it to schedule frequent services on two new routes, however drivers want to return to the depot for all starts, breaks and finishes.

The Labour Court has backed the new rosters proposed by Dublin Bus, which would be operated by junior drivers.

YET AGAIN THESE SAME 2 UNIONS THREATEN PEOPLE, WHO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND CAUSING FURTHER DISTRESS TO THE ALREADY DISTRESSED COMMUTER.

So, are their jobs threatened? Are they working more for the same pay?

The Answer is yet again, NO.

WE ARE NOT BARGAINING CHIPS TO SETTLE YOUR PETTY REQUIREMENTS.

[MidlandDeltic]

It depends what the rosters are.

Would you accept starting your working day at Harristown at 5am, then finishing it in the city centre at 2pm, and then making your way back to the depot to pick your car up in your own time?

I'm not saying that is the case here - I don't know. But that is the kind of roster I have seen put in place elsewhere, and would add an hour unpaid to the working day.

Sean