The Workers Party extends its solidarity with striking bus workers.
The irony will not be lost on striking NBRU and SIPTU workers today, as they are forced out on strike on International Workers’ Day.
Party President Michael Donnelly commented on today’s industrial dispute:
“As the media and government ratchets up its propaganda offensive against these workers, it is important to remember why these union members are sacrificing two days of pay. The NTA’s decision to put 10% of routes out to private tender is the beginning of a race to the bottom for public transport in this country.”
“Public transport is a social utility which must be funded by the public purse to ensure a good quality service is accessible to all. A quick glance of Dublin Bus’ public subvention of only 27%, shows it is comparatively one of the lowest across major European cities”
“It has been obvious for a while, that this government was intending to pursue a policy of transport privatisation, as fares hikes have continuously risen at rates far greater than inflation and the Consumer Price Index. This initial 10% is only the beginning.”
“It is abundantly clear that savings on these routes can only be made through an erosion of working conditions and a deterioration of service quality. The government’s guarantees that existing CIE workers’ conditions will be safeguarded are tenuous and say nothing about those of future workers in the industry.”
“Furthermore, the decision by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to pursue legal action against these unions is scandalous. If the Labour Party stands for anything any more, it must push for emergency legislation to protect the right of workers to strike and reject the Thatcherite and anti-worker industrial rights legislation which operates in this country”