Aircoach Drivers win Union recognition

shltter

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78041

Coach drivers working for Aircoach, the private bus operator, have won recognition of their union after a 20-month organizing campaign.



The union began recruiting Aircoach drivers in January 2005. The company was initially resistant to unionisation, despite the fact that its parent company, First Group, recognises trade unions throughout Britain. The company agreed to accept SIPTU as the representative body of its drivers following an 90% vote in favour of the union this May.

“We’re delighted to have finally concluded this recognition agreement”, said Paul Hardy, the organiser responsible for co-ordinating the campaign. “The hard work and dedication of our activists at Aircoach has finally paid off. Our members now hope to build on the recognition agreement and the improved industrial relations atmosphere at the company to make real improvements in terms and conditions.”

"We also acknowledge the help of the TGWU union in Britain for the use of its good offices in building bridges with First Group. In our turn, we will be doing whatever we can to assist the SEIU and Teamster unions in the United States organise drivers in First Group companies.”

As well as an important success in a strategic area of the economy, this recognition win is being seen as a significant success for US-style 'organizing' techniques centering around one-to-one contact with workers and getting members directly involved in building their own organisation. The deal at Aircoach provides neither for a 'closed shop' nor a no-strike arrangement.

Good news for the drivers at Aircoach
Apparently the union had already negotiated a new pay scale and a change in rostering arrangements with the company.

aliveandkicking

At least it was SIPTU and not the militant NBRU

shltter

aliveandkicking wrote:

At least it was SIPTU and not the militant NBRU

The deal at Aircoach provides neither for a 'closed shop' nor a no-strike arrangement

Siptu at the moment

jimmycrackcorm

Now wait for Siptu to cause a storm to justify their existence. Why did Siptu go recruiting the workers instead of the other way about... ?

MrPudding

When will the fares start to increase along with a reduction in the quality of the service?

MrP

FlutterinBantam

Watch the absenteeism increase

Ham'nd'egger

jimmycrackcorm wrote:

Now wait for Siptu to cause a storm to justify their existence. Why did Siptu go recruiting the workers instead of the other way about... ?

Errr, Jimmy, where does it say that SIPTU chased members in the OP? In any case, it is good that they are looking for new members; a pity they didn't opt for NBRU in some respects as they tend to have their feet on the ground a bit more than SPTU but there ya go.

This is good news for everybody in the long run; the drivers because they won't be collectively bullied and harrassed as has been known to happen in private coach companies; the company as they will know what drivers want as a unit and the passenger as drivers won't be pushed into potentially dangerous situations such as working overly long hours, missing rest periods and genuine safely issues can be dealt with responsibly and sensibly.

shltter

jimmycrackcorm wrote:

Why did Siptu go recruiting the workers instead of the other way about... ?

They did not turn up with a big stick and force anyone to join.

It is a free country they were offered the oppurtunity of union representation and over 90% wanted it.

MrPudding

Hamndegger wrote:

This is good news for everybody in the long run.....

Yeah. I expect all the good news for the customers will not be too long in arriving.

MrP

popebenny16

Fair play to them, I agree with what Mr Egg said above. Whilst we may have our gripes with Public Sector Unions many people who post here in the Private will agree that when your arse is to the wall its good to be a member of a union.

Wishbone Ash

FlutterinBantam wrote:

Watch the absenteeism increase

Probably not as Aircoach do not pay for sick days.

shltter

MrPudding wrote:

Yeah. I expect all the good news for the customers will not be too long in arriving.

MrP

Yeah it was much better for the customers when Aircoach had their drivers working 12 hour shifts with no breaks.:rolleyes:

Wishbone Ash

shltter wrote:

Yeah it was much better for the customers when Aircoach had their drivers working 12 hour shifts with no breaks.:rolleyes:

They still do (and some 13 hour shifts).

shltter

Wishbone Ash wrote:

They still do (and some 13 hour shifts).

Siptu claim to have negotiated a new roster I presume that since those kind of shifts with no breaks are illegal that would have to change.

Wishbone Ash

shltter wrote:

Siptu claim to have negotiated a new roster I presume that since those kind of shifts with no breaks are illegal that would have to change.

Perhaps on the 'normal' Aircoach routes but some of the lads on the LTCP contract are rostered from 5am to 6pm with out a break. I don't understand how it can be legal. They usually have ample opportunity to get refreshments/toilet etc. but are not on an official break as such.

shltter

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Perhaps on the 'normal' Aircoach routes but some of the lads on the LTCP contract are rostered from 5am to 6pm with out a break. I don't understand how it can be legal. They usually have ample opportunity to get refreshments/toilet etc. but are not on an official break as such.

http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0247/D.0247.197006250021.html


It is illegal

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash wrote:

I don't understand how it can be legal

shltter wrote:

It is illegal

I think you may have misinterpreted me shltter. I said that didn't understand how it is LEGAL (not illegal) . However, I was thinking in terms of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

AFAIK most of Aircoach services would be exempt from the Driver's Hours Regulations as they are a "regular service" and do not operate more than 50 kms from base. I'm open to correction on this.