Whats is the current status of threatened strikes at Dublin Bus

spareman · 11-04-2009 07:37PM

My understanding of the current situation is that a meeting has been convened for both Management and unions on Tuesday, when clarification on outstanding issues will be addressed, then put to the driver's in a ballot to be held Thursday.

The company will implement the changes on Sunday 19th regardless of the ballot result as advertised on there new website, If the proposals are passed in the ballot, management and unions will have just 2 day's to agree to new timetables before they are implemented on Sunday.

The last new timetable I remember was route 75 and that took 6 months to find agreement.

So either way I see strike next Sunday unless driver's vote to accept proposals and management delay the changes to allow time to agree new timetables.

AlekSmart · 11-04-2009 07:56PM

I see there is a balllot by siptu in the 16th on the clarification they recieved during the week..

Indeed Cleo,yet another ballot.....as an NBRU member myself I am somewhat concerned at what appears to be a wild fluctuation in the total poll......
I recall a total NBRU ballot of c1,800 for the first ballot which it seems fell to c.1,300 for the second round.
This means 500 drivers did`nt bother their butt to vote at all !

This I find inexplicable as equally I`m at a loss to explain the somewhat limited attendance at the second round of Branch Information Meetings.

This is not an issue for people to sit on the fence about,or at least if they do then to refrain from whinging and moaning when the eventual result does`nt suit them.

There are now also serious undercurrents of internal dissention in at least one Garage which is threatening to assume a serious level unless somebody gets real,real quick !!

I have many issues with my Unions handling to this issue,but I do do not accept that the Union Officials have done any less than their best under poor conditions.

It also needs noting that the Labour Court have been at pains to point out that there will be NO new recommendation,the meetings are ONLY for the purposes of clarification on the recommendations as issued.

Cleopatra12 · 14-04-2009 06:23PM

Hmm, is it going to be like 'Lisbon.... Keep voting till you come out with the right result!..... hehe

meanmachine3 · 14-04-2009 07:07PM

it's coming across more and more that there was never any intention of the unions going out on strike. what i can say is this. if these proposals are accepted then the communters better be prepared for a reduction in services because thats whats going to happen when dublin bus take of the 120 buses.
your right cleo it is the lisbon all over.
now cleo wait and see what happens with one of the unions. one of them is going to take a huge hit membership wise. we'll know in 48hrs whats going to happen. basically as a bus driver i'm sick of the whole god-damn thing. in all ballots the plan was rejected and they come up with some cock and bull excuse of putting the strike off.at this stage there aint much else to say.

liger · 14-04-2009 07:38PM

Cleopatra12 wrote: »

Hmm, is it going to be like 'Lisbon.... Keep voting till you come out with the right result!..... hehe

Its a disgrace to be asked to vote on the same document again. They seen how close the last vote was and now they think they'll get the swing on it this time. I would hope people see that nothing has changed and actually vote no on the principle that management are chancing their arm.

Tuesday : Lrc make their clarification

Thursday : We vote again.

Does that mean there is meetings in parnell sq and liberty hall on wed? And will unions be able to provide answers this time?

The way this is being is hard to believe. And 2days to agree bills? is that true?

shltter · 14-04-2009 11:13PM

I have a copy of the clarification if anyone has not seen it
PM me your email addy

liger · 15-04-2009 01:02PM

thanks for that shltter,

I'm still disgusted by this whole situation.

shltter · 15-04-2009 04:12PM

Here it is

shltter · 15-04-2009 04:22PM

Personally I think it gives very little clarification

It long fingers nearly everything out to review groups.

The only real points are that it sets out the reference period (which should have been included in the first document)

And it changes the travelling time ( but even then it leaves it open )

Other than that it is review groups for everything.

The bank holiday clarification is a joke 2 years but no mention of how it will work or how looking back after 2 years you can ascertain if the distribution of bank holidays was fair.

No clarification on rest days and how they will be worked who gets what ( if 5 drivers fulfill the criteria for an available rest day on what basis is it allocated)

No clarification of how stand bys will work what happens to the sleeper etc etc

No mention on swaps and accomodating people who would previously swapped to attend appointments etc

I don't know whether the unions are not looking for clarity on these issues or whether they are being avoided because the answer may not help a yes vote but for my money the clarification has been a waste of time.

rokz · 16-04-2009 02:25AM

I wonder if that chap mr Dempsey will get his own way..considering his lack of support.I bet he has a mate ..with a few busses.I believe he has all the relevant authorities in place for such a move.The whole situation has been orcastrated by himself from his approval of new busses,new staff. and no routes to today's rediculous scenario.....How do they get away with it..?

AlekSmart · 18-04-2009 12:08AM

Would that be the garage that you did not work in a few posts back when you said you were in head office staff.

Think someone has slipped up here......

Oh dear,Dub Commuter....perhaps the slipping was not as you percieved....;)

Cleopatra12 wrote: »

as i have said in a previous post, I work for Dublin bus. I am not based in HO, but in a garage. I am not management, but clerical. I am clued in because i make myself so. I regularly have chats with all of the Union reps on a thurs to keep up to date on all the issues. I read all of their literature thats available every week and i have often have had debates with them. I also read to Bus workers leaflets to see what they have to say too.

I dont think i am here to dilute any topics, i prefer to think i offer a different pont of view of someone who works within the company, there are not only driver viewpoints to be given.

Please do not think i am in anyway unsympathetic to what to cost cutting means. I know only too well as it is affecting me too. I a going to lose money as well. Oh, and do you think i want to have to walk past a picket, but have so as out Union has instructed us to.

Is that enough info about me for you?

....

rokz · 18-04-2009 12:15AM

Alek..well if the busses go private....u will hav no problem getting a job as a private investigator.

Whats is the current status of threatened strikes at Dublin Bus

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