SIPTU has stated that a comprehensive agreement which deals with the threat to bus services and workers' terms of employment is needed before there can be any suspension of industrial action by bus drivers scheduled to begin on Friday, 1st May. SIPTU Construction and Utilities Division Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: “A statement by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, today (Tuesday, 28th April), that no current drivers will be forced to transfer to private operators if a route is privatised has been noted by our members.“However, in his statement the Minister has only sought to deal with one point of concern for SIPTU members in relation to the threat posed by the privatisation of bus routes. Some weeks ago SIPTU presented a six point agenda relating to the security of our members' employment. Our members are seeking responses to a number of interlinked issues relating to the adverse impact on their jobs. To date, only one of these has been responded to.”He added: “Without a comprehensive agreement which takes into account the issues raised by our members the industrial action on Friday, 1st May, and Saturday, 2nd May, will go ahead as planned.”
SIPTU says comprehensive agreement needed to prevent bus strike
