THE BUS ÉIREANN strikes, which have spread to Irish Rail and Dublin Bus, show ‘contempt’ for the travelling public.

That is according to employers group Ibec, which has also hit out at the unions involved in the dispute, which has seen transport services severely disrupted.

The organisation, which represents some of Ireland’s largest companies, said that the industrial action “demonstrates contempt for the travelling public, including some of the most vulnerable sections of society”.

The group called on union bosses “to show leadership and bring this action to an immediate halt this morning”.

Ibec Director of Employer Relations Maeve McElwee said that the industrial action “will have a significant adverse impact on businesses and workers with potentially devastating effects in critical sectors including health and elder/social care services”.

Dublin Chamber, which represents businesses in the Dublin region, also called for management at Bus Eireann and the Unions “to recommence talks immediately with a view to getting public transport services back up and running again as soon as possible”.

Head of public affairs at Dublin Chamber Graeme McQueen said: “This morning’s action has proved hugely disruptive, with workers forced to find alternative ways of getting to work so that it remains business as usual in Dublin.

Early this morning, Bus Éireann workers began picketing across multiple transport depots. Irish Rail services in and out of Dublin, and all over the country, were cancelled, while Dublin Bus services were also badly affected.

Sam Boal Sam Boal

Both Dublin Bus and Irish Rail said they had no warning ahead of the picketing, which a Dublin Bus spokeswoman said began outside bus depots at 4am this morning.

Bus Éireann woes

The Bus Éireann strike enters its eighth day today.

The company is struggling with high losses, and is looking to implement a dramatic cost-cutting plan that would see 300 jobs cut. Union workers went on strike after the company decided to impose payroll cuts.

Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland, the general secretary of the NBRU Dermot O’Leary said that the union did not orchestrate the pickets.

“I’m urging those who are picketing to stop, and people [at Irish Rail and Dublin Bus] should go to work immediately,” he said.

“I don’t condone this,” he added before suggesting that he hoped the picketers and the Irish Rail and Dublin Bus workers see some “sense” in the next few hours.

Mr O’Leary said the union was not in dispute with Irish Rail or Dublin Bus and the only mandate he has is in relation to Bus Éireann.

“I assure you, there was no union involvement in this,” he said.

Irish Rail has advised that it will provide updates on all its services on its website here, while Dublin Bus provides a breakdown of the services affected here.

The disruptions are set to ease in the coming hours as secondary pickets are lifted at Dublin Bus and Irish Rail sites.

Written by Paul O’Donoghue and posted on Fora.ie