Do you support the Dublin Bus workers?

Dave! · 05-08-2013 05:25PM

Anyone able to give an actual figure for the average bus driver's basic salary? And how does it compare to their salary in, say, 2005?

LuckyLloyd · 05-08-2013 05:29PM

super_furry wrote: »

Are public services supposed to make money? How about the HSE, are they profitable?

No. There's no way certain routes make money, but that's the nature of providing a fully formed network of bus services. Deregulate bus routes in this country, and watch a million companies operate the N11 corridor and ordinary working people and pensioners depending on a 123 or 18 type route to get them from A to B suffer. Not that those calling for deregulation or lambasting Dublin Bus for not making a profit would give a **** about such people.

dotsman · 05-08-2013 05:31PM

foxy06 wrote: »

Dublin bus is losing money because of fewer passenger numbers because of high unemployment because of the recession which was caused by a banking crisis which was caused by rogue bankers which are sitting pretty with the bondholders laughing at the rest of us.

You forgot to mention the lizard people:rolleyes:

notharrypotter · 05-08-2013 05:31PM

When the day comes that the private sector gets it's hands on theroutes, there will be an inevitable migration of workers to new services, andthey'll have even tighter structures in place....because they have to makemoney.

Dublin is a small city but it is spread over a fairly large geographical area for its population numbers.

Any commercial operator will immediately cut routes/frequencies that impact on the bottom line.

This will mean in the bold new world that is been proposed we would see a reduction in the service not an improvement.

Sometimes society has to make choices that involve supporting things that no sane commercial operation would look at.

Amirani · 05-08-2013 05:31PM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

No. There's no way certain routes make money, but that's the nature of providing a fully formed network of bus services. Deregulate bus routes in this country, and watch a million companies operate the N11 corridor and ordinary working people and pensioners depending on a 123 or 18 type route to get them from A to B suffer. Not that those calling for deregulation or lambasting Dublin Bus for not making a profit would give a **** about such people.

It's possible to have conditions attached to the tendering. Has the privately run Luas service been such a disaster?

LuckyLloyd · 05-08-2013 05:33PM

NiallSparky wrote: »

It's possible to have conditions attached to the tendering. Has the privately run Luas service been such a disaster?

No, but it doesn't offer a fully formed transport solution. The LUAS won't provide adequate services to Dublin tomorrow.

How Soon Is Now · 05-08-2013 05:35PM

My da is a HGV driver hes doing it most his life at this stage. He works nearly six days a week starts most mornings at around 1am.

Only way he can earn any kinda half decent wage is by working crazy over time for a man going on 50.

His wages have been docked and hes been given extra hours not less its happened to most of the drivers where he works they have no option.

If they where to go on strike in the morning i imagine they would be told where to go and more then likely be replaced by drivers from agency's.

I dunno weather to support bus drivers in this situation really being honest.

All i know is there screwing every day normal people who need to get places. Not everyone lives beside a luas line or within walking distance of the places they NEED to get to.

I live only twenty minutes from the nearest Luas line so im not to bad here but i imagine theres a lot of people in ****ty situations now who cant afford to be getting taxis everywhere who dont drive and who dont have people to give them lifts around.

Hopefully the situation is sorted out soon.

gurramok · 05-08-2013 05:36PM

Dave! wrote: »

Anyone able to give an actual figure for the average bus driver's basic salary? And how does it compare to their salary in, say, 2005?

The Irish Times over the weekend mentioned that the core pay is 40k. Add on overtime to this, it adds up.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/dublin-bus-strike-looks-set-to-continue-tomorrow-1.1484187?page=2

Yakult · 05-08-2013 05:39PM

I support them, but I don't live in Dublin!

B.A._Baracus · 05-08-2013 05:42PM

COYW wrote: »

I am guessing that this will be resolved over the next few days with the solution being a fare increase, just like Bus Eireann. Was planning on using the bus to go into town tomorrow. Looks like I will be in the car instead.

On a side note, is anyone else amazed at the number of passengers on the bus who have free travel? I did a check last week and 12 out of 20 passengers had a pass.

I know.
The amount of people you see with those free passes is unreal. When it's an old person you know that's just an OAP pass. But so many young people have them. Last I heard is that you have to have some sort of disability to get one. They can't all have genuine disabilities.

Sure isnt the old con to say you have a disability so you stay on the dole for years. Am sure a free bus pass comes with such con.

gurramok · 05-08-2013 05:43PM

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I know.
The amount of people you see with those free passes is unreal. When it's an old person you know that's just an OAP pass. But so many young people have them. Last I heard is that you have to have some sort of disability to get one. They can't all have genuine disabilities.

Junkies are a huge chunk of those young people.

bumper234 · 05-08-2013 05:46PM

Have been in the UK and this first am hearing about the strike. Anyone know how long this is due to go on? Buses running in the morning or am i gonna have to drive?

B.A._Baracus · 05-08-2013 05:46PM

gurramok wrote: »

Junkies are a huge chunk of those young people.

True. Forgot about them.

Rightwing · 05-08-2013 05:48PM

These drivers are out of touch with reality.

B.A._Baracus · 05-08-2013 05:48PM

bumper234 wrote: »

Have been in the UK and this first am hearing about the strike. Anyone know how long this is due to go on? Buses running in the morning or am i gonna have to drive?

Strike started Sunday and as of right now it's still on. It's expected that no buses will be on tomorrow as well. So looks like you'll have to drive dude.

05-08-2013 05:49PM

foxy06 wrote: »

Dublin bus is losing money because of fewer passenger numbers because of high unemployment because of the recession which was caused by a banking crisis which was caused by rogue bankers which are sitting pretty with the bondholders laughing at the rest of us.

The whole country should be kicking up mot just bus drivers

How can you explain price-rises for us passengers (ye know, the one or two people who actually pay to use the bus) during the boom if it's the fault of the bankers?

Unless you're being sarcastic...but I somehow doubt that you are.

claypigeon777 · 05-08-2013 05:50PM

DylanII wrote: »

I don't support them at all.

Their basic pay is not being cut, it's just overtime pay and premium payments.

What if they and their families depend on that overtime pay and premium pay? They have to work weekend shifts unlike many other workers who work Mon to Fri. Bus drivers are very undervalued and provide a vital service in many communities that would have no public transport of any kind because no private commercial enterprise would provide it.
The bus drivers did not create the recession.
They are simply standing up for themselves in tough times, the same way many other workers in many other livelihoods are too.

05-08-2013 05:52PM

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

How come LUAS/DART and walking some of the way aren't options? Not being smart, just curious.

I'm nowhere near either, myself. Or the dublin bikes thing. I don't think I'm within walking distance of a luas either
Could drive in and pay loads and loads for parking...

Thankfully commuting from home with bus eireann this week

claypigeon777 · 05-08-2013 05:53PM

Rightwing wrote: »

These drivers are out of touch with reality.

They have mortgages to pay and families to feed just like you and me and everyone else.
If their pay is being cut they are going to fight it out.
Same as you me or anyone else.
They don't have alternative employment in this economy the way things are now. If they can avoid going on the dole or emigrating I'm sure they'll try.
I don't think you are living in the real world.

Tar.Aldarion · 05-08-2013 05:55PM

gurramok wrote: »

The Irish Times over the weekend mentioned that the core pay is 40k. Add on overtime to this, it adds up.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/dublin-bus-strike-looks-set-to-continue-tomorrow-1.1484187?page=2

Seems high? What's the European averages I wonder

Potatoeman · 05-08-2013 05:56PM

claypigeon777 wrote: »

What if they and their families depend on that overtime pay and premium pay? They have to work weekend shifts unlike many other workers who work Mon to Fri. Bus drivers are very undervalued and provide a vital service in many communities that would have no public transport of any kind because no private commercial enterprise would provide it.
The bus drivers did not create the recession.
They are simply standing up for themselves in tough times, the same way many other workers in many other livelihoods are too.

They also benefited from it too. DB are not making as much as they used too and the government won't give them more money. They can't really increase fares too much as people will stop using the service. I walk to work as the service works out no quicker and many of my colleagues cycle in now.

Joe prim · 05-08-2013 05:58PM

I don't know what they earn either,and like the other posters here, I can't be a*sed to look it up, but that Vinny Fitzpatrick guy is always drinking and gambling and golfing, so the money must be Ok, and it's in the Irish Times, so it must be true.

Rightwing · 05-08-2013 06:02PM

claypigeon777 wrote: »

They have mortgages to pay and families to feed just like you and me and everyone else.
If their pay is being cut they are going to fight it out.
Same as you me or anyone else.
They don't have alternative employment in this economy the way things are now. If they can avoid going on the dole or emigrating I'm sure they'll try.
I don't think you are living in the real world.

Well strikes won't help them. That's for sure. I'd like management to get tough and let them strike for as long as they like.

Celtise · 05-08-2013 06:03PM

I was moderately annoyed and unsupportive of the strike as I was unsure of the facts until I listened to Philip Boucher Hayes on Drivetime today. Link: http://t.co/GB5gM88r4K

Now I definitely think they are out of touch and greedy. In all the jobs I've done overtime is expected but not paid and you just have to live with it along with not getting sick pay, pension or allowances for showing up or not fxcking up!

Sand · 05-08-2013 06:05PM

I moved into the city center so I could avoid using Dublin Bus, so thankfully the strike doesn't impact me at all. I don't support the drivers however - they are out of touch. They should realize they work for a dysfunctional, heavily subsidized semi-state with an appalling standard of service (their drivers seem to take a lot from scumbags, and then take it out on ordinary passengers) and keep their heads down.

claypigeon777 · 05-08-2013 06:06PM

Potatoeman wrote: »

They also benefited from it too. DB are not making as much as they used too and the government won't give them more money. They can't really increase fares too much as people will stop using the service. I walk to work as the service works out no quicker and many of my colleagues cycle in now.

Old people can't walk everywhere. Students with no cars don't have any alternative transport. A mother with no car can't walk everywhere or cycle everywhere to do her shopping. Children need to go to school and can't walk or cycle across the city. DB provides a service that would not be provided to many areas of the city by private companies.
Those people people have no alternative but to use the service.
Walking or cycling is not an option for many people when there is wet weather. You seem out of touch with the reality for many people in Dublin.
Dublin Bus drivers will not have a lot to take home if they don't fight their corner and try and get a better deal.
You can't expect them to work for crumbs do you and pay mortgages and feed, cloth and educate their families do you?

Sand · 05-08-2013 06:08PM

claypigeon777 wrote: »

Old people can't walk everywhere. Students with no cars don't have any alternative transport. A mother with no car can't walk everywhere or cycle everywhere to do her shopping. Children need to go to school and can't walk or cycle across the city.

So essentially, by striking, the drivers are taking it out on old people, students, poor mothers and children?

Nice.

claypigeon777 · 05-08-2013 06:10PM

Sand wrote: »

I moved into the city center so I could avoid using Dublin Bus, so thankfully the strike doesn't impact me at all. I don't support the drivers however - they are out of touch. They should realize they work for a dysfunctional, heavily subsidized semi-state with an appalling standard of service (their drivers seem to take a lot from scumbags, and then take it out on ordinary passengers) and keep their heads down.

Most of the population in the Dublin area live in the suburbs and due to the recession many many people can no longer afford to run a car.
For many of the bus routes in Dublin no private company would provide them which would basically leave thousands and thousands of families stranded.
In most cities around the world there is a subsidized semi-state public transport system.

notharrypotter · 05-08-2013 06:12PM

From the Irish Times article referenced above

The company said that bus drivers’ core pay of around €40,000 per annum would not be cut while management and executives faced pay cuts of 3 per cent to 5 per cent. She also said that only about 25 per cent of drivers opted for overtime

Core pay is AROUND €40,000

How much extra is for unsociable hours (Nightlink)?
How much extra for Weekends

Or is this it for everything?

They clearly indicate OVERTIME is a different payment.

Well strikes won't help them. That's for sure. I'd like management to get tough and let them strike for as long as they like.

And then what?
Wait until they and their families are starving and then we will chain them to the steering wheel and swop the driving seat for a commode?

knickerbocker · 05-08-2013 06:14PM

claypigeon777 wrote: »

Most of the population in the Dublin area live in the suburbs and due to the recession many many people can no longer afford to run a car.
For many of the bus routes in Dublin no private company would provide them which would basically leave thousands and thousands of families stranded.
In most cities around the world there is a subsidized semi-state public transport system.

The big problem is the inefficeincy of the current system ( in part how the working day/week is structured for drivers).
Time to shut the company down and start again with new T&C's.

Do you support the Dublin Bus workers?

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