Letters to the CEO’S of Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority
25th March 2014
Re: 10% Tendering of Dublin Bus/Bus Éireann Routes
Sirs,
I refer to the above and the stated intention of the NTA to implement Government policy and privatise 10% of the routes of both Bus Companies.
Having attended at meetings over the last number of months with Ministers Varadkar, Kelly and the NTA it has become clear to this Trade Union that the future of the employees who work these routes has not been factored in as a priority.
Notwithstanding our resolve to vigorously oppose this attack on our members’ livelihoods it behoves the relevant stakeholders to provide a detailed outline of where they believe the responsibility lies for the future of the affected staff.
The Ministers would have it that the NTA have the autonomy and therefore the responsibility with regards to overseeing the tendering of routes and all attendant issues contained therein.
The NTA themselves will contend that the responsibility for Dublin Bus/Bus Éireann staff rests with the respective Companies.
The Companies for their part have let it be known that the stripping out of 10% of their respective business/revenue streams effectively translates to having nigh on 440 surplus employees, inclusive of drivers, maintenance, supervisory, clerical and executive staff.
The NBRU has been listening attentively to each of the parties to this debate and we are of the view that the pursuance of an ideologically based transport policy places the workers at the mercy of companies whose sole interest is making a profit on the backs of terms and conditions.
It should be noted that this Trade Union will not be fobbed off with platitudes like “TUPE will address surplus staff issues” when in fact we will not countenance a situation whereby staff will treated as something akin to a fleet of vehicles and just handed over to whatever operator happens to be successful in any prospective tendering competition.
For the record whilst the NBRU intends to use every resource at our disposal (inclusive of Industrial Action should it be deemed to be necessary) in our campaign to highlight the folly of pursuing a privatisation policy, it would be remiss of us to ignore the consequences for our members within a tendering regime.
We are now to respectfully request that you will resolve by return to set out your respective positions with regard to the role you envisage your organisation will play in the future of our members jobs.
Yours Sincerely
_____________
DERMOT O’LEARY
General Secretary
Copy/ Mr Leo Varadkar Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
“ Mr Alan Kelly Minister for Public Transport
“ Mr Tom O’Mahony Secretary General Department of Transport