SIPTU has announced that Go-Ahead bus drivers in Dublin and other parts of the country will take strike action in early March in a dispute over pay.
According to SIPTU, members will stage 24-hour work stoppages on 1 and 8 March with pickets being placed at the company's depots in Ballymount, Dublin and Naas, Co Kildare. The union claims that Go-Ahead has "refused to engage" in talks
Speaking to Dublin Live, SIPTU sector organiser John Murphy confirmed that bus drivers will be picketing on both days at the company's two depots in Dublin and Kildare. He said: "If it proceeds as planned there will be pickets on the two locations that Go-Ahead operates on, the one in Ballymount in Dublin and the other in Naas in Kildare.
Read more: Social Welfare Ireland: Jobseekers could receive up to €450 a week under new Government plans
"The main issue is pay but the issue that the dispute is over is for the company's refusal to follow the agreed procedures. Ours is a dispute with the parties, there's local meetings to try and resolve it but if not it goes to the conciliation services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) then into the Labour Court.
"The company so far has refused to attend the Labour Court and it's on that basis that we have issued the two work stoppage dates. If they subsequently decide to attend the Labour Court then there won't be a dispute on those two days, but as of yesterday they haven't sent in their attendance," explained John Murphy.
Mr Murphy described Go-Ahead as a "significant operator" in the UK and that before Christmas in the UK the company agreed to a 10% rate increase with drivers on the basis of current inflation rates and the cost of living crisis. However, the union has claimed that Go-Ahead has so far refused to provide a pay rise for staff here in Ireland to help with the cost of living crisis.
Go-Ahead has 300 workers employed in Ireland, and Mr Murphy explained that the majority of these workers are SIPTU union members. On December 20, SIPTU representatives conducted a ballot for industrial action of members employed by Go-Ahead Ireland and a majority of drivers voted for the industrial action.
Mr Murphy said: "Bus drivers here with Go-Ahead are paid relatively low compared to other drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann and other operators. The company have refused to engage in any way over here, so hopefully they will see the sense of engagement on trying to resolve this."
Go-Ahead Transport Services Limited, known as Go-Ahead Ireland, commenced trading in September 2018. It is a subsidiary of the UK based Go-Ahead Group and operates a number of routes previously serviced by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann.
A spokesman for Go-Ahead Ireland told Dublin Live: "Go Ahead Ireland (GAI) are aware of the proposed stoppages by SIPTU in March.
"The company has engaged with the union via the appropriate channels and has confirmed in writing to the Workplace Relations Commission and SIPTU as recently as the 03rd February that it is willing to jointly refer any of the union’s claims to the Labour Court to seek a resolution. While we understand this is an ongoing process, we remain committed to positive and proactive engagement with all stakeholders."
READ NEXT:
- Building evacuated after fire rips through Dublin apartments
Dublin Lotto winner urged to coin in €250,000 prize as deadline looms
First Dates Ireland couple connect over mental health struggles
Ryan Tubridy and RTE Radio 1 stars drop listeners as crunch meetings to be held
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
