Unite accuses Minister and management of holding communities and workers to ransom

February 2nd: Commenting on today’s decision by the Bus Éireann Group of Unions to hold an all-out strike commencing on February 20^th, Unite Regional Officer Willie Quigley accused Minister Shane Ross and Bus Éireann management of holding communities and unions to ransom through the threatened unilateral imposition of cuts without consultation.

“Over the past fortnight both the Minister and management have disregarded numerous requests from the unions to convene a forum of all stakeholders, to publish all relevant information, and to withdraw threatened cuts so that meaningful talks could take place.

“The Minister and management are effectively holding both workers and communities to ransom, and today the Group of Unions had no option to respond to this unprecedented attack on semi-state workers by announcing an all-out strike starting on February 20^th.

“In taking this action, our concern is as much for communities and the travelling public as for our members, and our meeting today decided that school buses will not be affected by the strike.

“It is not too late for the Minister to reflect on the situation, instruct Acting CEO Ray Hernan to withdraw his ‘letters of threat’, and convene a forum involving all stakeholders to chart a sustainable way forward for this vital public service and national asset.

“Meanwhile, Unite will be serving notice tomorrow of strike action commencing at 00.01 hours on Monday February 20^th”, Willie Quigley said.