The Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe today spoke to the media outside Leinster House about the proposed industrial action at Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann. 
 
The dispute occurred after the National Transport Authority (NTA) decided to tender 10% of bus services, to be phased in from late 2016.
 
Minister Donohoe claimed this move is in line with the Government's intention for the NTA to procure services through a combination of direct award and tendering in the best interests of quality and  to serve the needs of the travelling public.

The Minister said, "In commenting on the threatened industrial action, I have repeatedly said that few, if any, of the current employees in Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann were likely to be expected to transfer, should their company be unsuccessful in securing the contracts for the routes being tendered. Both companies need additional drivers over the next two years because of growth on the routes that they continue to operate as we address congestion and public transport needs. I am now confirming, following detailed discussions with the bus companies around this market growth, taht the comapnies are willing to give a commitment that no driver currently employed will be required to transfer to another operator, unless he or she wishes to do so. 

This commitment would mean that there is absolutely no threat to the security of tenure or the terms and conditions of the current members of SIPTU or the NBRU arising from the tender process. There is therefore no basis for industrial action by either union against the companies. 

The other issues which the NBRU and SIPTU have referred to as justification for the threatened strikes relate to government policies and legislation. As the bus companies have no control over these, strike action which would damage the companies and inconvenience their customers cannot be justified. It is therefore in the best interests of everyone that the commitment that the companies are prepared to make is used as the basis for constructive engagement at the LRC and the threatened strike action is immediately called off."

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