Bus Workers unofficial strike, Dublin

[Dóchas]

so on the second day of industrial action 150,000 passengers of dublin bus have been left to find alternative modes of transport today in dublin.

the strike was called after changes were made to the schedule of 29 routes (even though they were going to reduce journey time).

drivers who want to work and have continued to drive have suffered harrasment says a spokeswoman for dublin bus:



"We have had incidents already this morning where drivers who want to work and who have come into work to take out the buses have been intimidates. We have had broken windows coming out of Phibsboro and we've also had a female driver who felt so intimidated that she had to return back her depot,"


so what do you think of this strike? i personally dont really think it i justified enough as it was only changes to a schedule that was even going to reduce driving time for the drivers.

[la lucha sigue]

from what i can gather, the strike wasn't about the schedule change, it was over the suspension of one of the workers for refusing to implement the schedule.

i have no sympathy for the scabs who were happy enough to cross a picket line while one of their colleagues was being victimised for taking a stance! they deserve every bit of harassment that they get. I hear though that the suspended worker has been re-instated and that the strike has now been called off.

Fair play to those on strike. The union movement has sold out the irish workers. Workers are radicalising themselves. Long may it continue.

[Dóchas]

from what i can gather, the strike wasn't about the schedule change, it was over the suspension of one of the workers for refusing to implement the schedule.

i have no sympathy for the scabs who were happy enough to cross a picket line while one of their colleagues was being victimised for taking a stance! they deserve every bit of harassment that they get. I hear though that the suspended worker has been re-instated and that the strike has now been called off.

Fair play to those on strike. The union movement has sold out the irish workers. Workers are radicalising themselves. Long may it continue.

but dont you think it is a bit unfair that these are people with jobs and an income when there are others out there on the dole struggling to survive? i hadent heard of the driver being suspended maybe you could provide a link or something to back it up?

[la lucha sigue]

Yeah, sure they should really be thanking the bosses for allowing them to work at all. What kind of nonsense is that?

i heard about the suspension on the radio, but here's a link http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0428/dublinbus.html

how about some solidarity!! I don't know the details of why the proposed route changes are bad for the workers, but my instinct tells me to stand by them, every time!

[la lucha sigue]

here's a little bit more background, it seems that its about huge cuts in public transport, not about making routes shorter!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0417/dublinbus.html

[Dóchas]

Yeah, sure they should really be thanking the bosses for allowing them to work at all. What kind of nonsense is that?



i didnt say that i just think they should think about what they have instaed of what they dont have. especially in these difficult times



i heard about the suspension on the radio, but here's a link http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0428/dublinbus.html (http://www.anonym.to/?http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0428/dublinbus.html)


i dont really see why he had any reason to protest most of the new schedules reduced the routes time



but my instinct tells me to stand by them, every time!


ye same here but you have to question everything and not accept eveything as it is. find out what alterior motives there are

[Dóchas]

here's a little bit more background, it seems that its about huge cuts in public transport, not about making routes shorter!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0417/dublinbus.html

that article says they voted to accept the changes to the routes

[alexo]

It was aboput having proper consultation with the drivers. Dublin Bus just trying to act the big tough boss again.

[pastradamus]

Fair play, this is what us in the Union Circles call a "wildcat strike". That is to say standing up for one worker en masse and rapidly mobilising workers. Its the kind of stuff syndacalist are proud of.

[la lucha sigue]

that article says they voted to accept the changes to the routes

They were bullied into accepting a drastic cut in public services. They were fearful of losing their jobs, just as your earlier post suggested that they should be.

On top of the laudable solidarity that the strikers showed with their suspended comrade, they are showing even greater solidarity with the wider public. They were tempted with shorter routes, which may have made their own jobs easier, but they protested because they could see that this was not in the interests of the working class. Such a stance takes real guts, and i'm not surprised that it was not supported by an irish union.

[Andropov]

Its really encouraging to see this sort of mass mobilisation of workers in defence of workers.
By the looks of it the Bus Drivers will have a noteable part to play in the upcoming Labour disputes in the next year.
Also this looks like the first blow against the conformist ICTU leadership which is always good.

[BOZG]

so what do you think of this strike? i personally dont really think it i justified enough as it was only changes to a schedule that was even going to reduce driving time for the drivers.

i dont really see why he had any reason to protest most of the new schedules reduced the routes time


There are changes to dozens of routes, the media merely focused on this particular one. Most of these routes will see a reduction in services and frequency, which is not beneficial to bus users in the slightest and which the Dublin Bus workers were absolutely correct to stand up to. Defense of the existing routes has always been a demand of in the bus depots but the media (and the TU leadership) has often overlooked this and attempted to portray the drivers as merely looking out for themselves.

In regards to the particular schedule change that caused the strike, there is no conceivable way that Dublin Bus could shorten the length of a bus journey because traffic in Dublin is so atrocious. Without massive investment in public transport in general, the only way that Dublin Bus can guarantee a shorter journey on a route is by changing the route that the bus takes, thus removing the service from some customers.



but dont you think it is a bit unfair that these are people with jobs and an income when there are others out there on the dole struggling to survive? i hadent heard of the driver being suspended maybe you could provide a link or something to back it up?

You've basically just argued the position of international capitalism. "Why should workers go on strike to defend services, conditions and wages? They have to realise that everyone has to share the pain. At least they're lucky to have jobs!" If that's your attitude to workers taking action against attacks, you're on the wrong forum.



that article says they voted to accept the changes to the routes

They voted on the same basic agreement 5 times. It was rejected 4 times. It was only by putting continuing pressure on workers that they were able to force through a yes vote. It's not surprising that the only reason that the Yes vote went ahead is because of a dip in the turnout in Harristown garage (the garage at the centre of the dispute) because some drivers had become disillusioned because they recognised that they would have to keep on voting until they got the "right" answer. The trade union leadership played a treacherous role in forcing the Yes vote.



By the looks of it the Bus Drivers will have a noteable part to play in the upcoming Labour disputes in the next year.

Absolutely. The absolutely vicious assault in the media on the drivers in general and particularly against a shop steward in Harristown who's a member of the Socialist Party is indicative of the fear of the establishment and the recognition that bus workers have been quite militant in the past number of years.

[Dóchas]

There are changes to dozens of routes, the media merely focused on this particular one. Most of these routes will see a reduction in services and frequency, which is not beneficial to bus users in the slightest and which the Dublin Bus workers were absolutely correct to stand up to. Defense of the existing routes has always been a demand of in the bus depots but the media (and the TU leadership) has often overlooked this and attempted to portray the drivers as merely looking out for themselves.

In regards to the particular schedule change that caused the strike, there is no conceivable way that Dublin Bus could shorten the length of a bus journey because traffic in Dublin is so atrocious. Without massive investment in public transport in general, the only way that Dublin Bus can guarantee a shorter journey on a route is by changing the route that the bus takes, thus removing the service from some customers.



ok i should look around for different stories and different sources before i make up my mind on it i was unaware of the other route changes



You've basically just argued the position of international capitalism. "Why should workers go on strike to defend services, conditions and wages? They have to realise that everyone has to share the pain. At least they're lucky to have jobs!" If that's your attitude to workers taking action against attacks, you're on the wrong forum.



im just trying to look for a different angle on things. im as commited to left wing politics as anyone on this board so id apprecite it if you dont doubt my devotion.



They voted on the same basic agreement 5 times. It was rejected 4 times. It was only by putting continuing pressure on workers that they were able to force through a yes vote. It's not surprising that the only reason that the Yes vote went ahead is because of a dip in the turnout in Harristown garage (the garage at the centre of the dispute) because some drivers had become disillusioned because they recognised that they would have to keep on voting until they got the "right" answer. The trade union leadership played a treacherous role in forcing the Yes vote.



again ill look for different sources and stories before i make a post

[BOZG]

ok i should look around for different stories and different sources before i make up my mind on it i was unaware of the other route changes



im just trying to look for a different angle on things. im as commited to left wing politics as anyone on this board so id apprecite it if you dont doubt my devotion.



again ill look for different sources and stories before i make a post

I apologise, I shouldn't have been so aggressive in attacking you.

[Dóchas]

leader of the strike eugene mcdonagh has been suspended

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bus-strike-figure-suspended-1727889.html

[BOZG]

leader of the strike eugene mcdonagh has been suspended

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bus-strike-figure-suspended-1727889.html

There's discussion in SIPTU about suspending members too.

[Dóchas]

There's discussion in SIPTU about suspending members too.

i think its ridiculous that the unions are there to stand up for workers rights yet they dont and then punish workers when they take things into their own hands.

how many are they planning on suspending do you know?

[BOZG]

i think its ridiculous that the unions are there to stand up for workers rights yet they dont and then punish workers when they take things into their own hands.

how many are they planning on suspending do you know?


Workers standing up for themselves are a direct threat to the cosy jobs of the trade union bureaucrats. It's ridiculous but not surprising. As far as I know, just one at the moment though I'm not entirely sure. What's particularly interesting is that this action was not actually started by anyone, even though the media, union leadership and Dublin Bus have been trying to point the finger at some of the more militant shop stewards. It was an entirely sporadic action on behalf of the workers of the shift, though was obviously supported the shop stewards. The suspensions are a much broader attempt to attack shop stewards and trade unionists who have challenged the branch leadership.

[Dóchas]

Workers standing up for themselves are a direct threat to the cosy jobs of the trade union bureaucrats. It's ridiculous but not surprising. As far as I know, just one at the moment though I'm not entirely sure. What's particularly interesting is that this action was not actually started by anyone, even though the media, union leadership and Dublin Bus have been trying to point the finger at some of the more militant shop stewards. It was an entirely sporadic action on behalf of the workers of the shift, though was obviously supported the shop stewards. The suspensions are a much broader attempt to attack shop stewards and trade unionists who have challenged the branch leadership.

well thats a good sign. it shows that its not only the more militant workers who are unsatisfied with their conditions, that the average joe is gradually wakening up to whats really going on

[alexo]

The word I'm hearing is he was suspended for two reasons.

1) going on TV and supporting the strike when it was an unoffical action.
2) He is also being suspended for sending pickets to the other depots.

However, the most worrying element was the fact that the strike ended because drivers started returning to work, with some passing the pickets and others threatening to.

[Dóchas]

However, the most worrying element was the fact that the strike ended because drivers started returning to work


they just lost the drive and motivation to keep it up. i think this will be the biggest challenge that workers face in the future, to keep the workers motivated to strike and not gradually go back to work

[alexo]

they just lost the drive and motivation to keep it up. i think this will be the biggest challenge that workers face in the future, to keep the workers motivated to strike and not gradually go back to work

I agree, the stomach /leadership for the fight is lacking. 120,000 on the streets re pension levies, where are they now?

It will be interesting when the unions are told to piss off by the government next week, will they fight?

[BOZG]

they just lost the drive and motivation to keep it up. i think this will be the biggest challenge that workers face in the future, to keep the workers motivated to strike and not gradually go back to work


I think that's a question that needs to be discussed in Harristown. The strike was an important example to show that workers will bypass the bureaucracy if necessary but it also shows that while wildcat strikes are an important sign of rising industrial militancy, they can also have negative aspects, particularly in companies which are spread across numerous depots. While that wasn't really an option in this strike because of the speed that the changes were implemented, coupled with the hesistant mood in the other garages, it's something that has to be addressed in the future. The internal politics and organisation of Dublin Bus makes it particularly diificult because of the existence of two unions, where some garages are dominated by a single union or in other garages, where there's a balance of power between the two.

[pastradamus]

Such a stance takes real guts, and i'm not surprised that it was not supported by an irish union.


Not True. The IWU has openly supported the bus strike and gained much support in the process.

[BOZG]

Not True. The IWU has openly supported the bus strike and gained much support in the process.

Fair play to them for it. Still, they should have stayed and fought for it in the trade union movement. :P

[pastradamus]

Fair play to them for it. Still, they should have stayed and fought for it in the trade union movement. :P

They advised their own members in Dublin bus to support the strike at the given time. Though from outside the bus Dublin Bus spectrum they were unable to lobby much support for the strikers at the time due to the fact that most of the IWU members are from many,many different trades and professions and would in a lot of cases have to be contacted on an individual basis.

The main power base in this dispute is of course the Bus union itself so if the IWU are to make any difference here they must work with these guys so the onus of strike continuation is on the Bus union

A message from the IWU:




The I.W.U. extends its support and solidarity to the Dublin Bus workers on the picket line at Harristown depot. The action of the workers is just, and commands the support of the working people. Independent Workers’ Union:
Supporting the Dublin Bus Drivers

The Independent Workers’ Union extends its support and solidarity to the workers of Dublin Bus at Harristown depot, who find them selves standing on a picket line due to uncompromising bullying tactics of the management of Dublin Bus (Bus Ath Cliath). By this ‘1913 lock-out’ style approach; the bosses seek to break previous agreements reached between the Unions’ and the management. This is the latest in a substantial number of infringements on the rights of the workers right through Ireland. The concerns and the actions of the workers are just. Despite the selective and censored projections from the right-wing media.

The new rosters being forced by the bosses, force the workers to start, break and finish work in the centre of the city. This situation breaks previous agreements and furthermore it will add between 2-3 hours extra a day onto the work load of those drivers effected. These new roster have not been previous viewed or agreed by the workers effected. This situation must be seen for what it is, a hostile act against the workers in an attempt to break the power of worker solidarity and union.

The biggest concern for Unions though, is the fact that Dublin Bus bosses have openly stated that any previous agreements do not extend to new workers. This is a direct tactic of creating divisions between the workers and weakening the Union and the level of worker solidarity. Yet this is an all too familiar occurrence happening up and down the country.

We in the I.W.U. commend the actions of the drivers on the picket line. We must also warn the workers as class, that days of disputes and strikes lay ahead as the Celtic Tiger implodes in on itself. Those that will be effected will be those who created the Celtic Tiger through their labour, those who did not see the benefits of the Celtic Tiger, those effected will be the workers. In the coming years, workers will be squeezed and enchained to get as much labour as possible for as little as possible by the boss-man. Let us unite; and end worker exploitation.

Independent Workers Union
www.union.ie

[Dóchas]

are their many drivers on the IWU do you know?

[cyu]

they just lost the drive and motivation to keep it up. i think this will be the biggest challenge that workers face in the future, to keep the workers motivated to strike and not gradually go back to work
I think the main problem is the strike itself. If you're already only making barely enough money to support your family, how can you afford to not be working?

The only real solution I see are more radical ones - have the drivers continue to run the routes and collect fares. At the end of each day, bring the fares from the various routes together, and have the employees decide democratically where that money should go.

[pastradamus]

are their many drivers on the IWU do you know?

Not really I imagine. Im unsure of their numbers being honest. The Dublin bus union has in the past (when times were 'good') been a tad cronyistic and favoritism with certain members was rife, so members joined the IWU - albeit not many. Nowadays the Dublin bus union has stepped up to the mark in many ways. Its bosses didnt really have a choice.

[BOZG]

I think the main problem is the strike itself. If you're already only making barely enough money to support your family, how can you afford to not be working?

The only real solution I see are more radical ones - have the drivers continue to run the routes and collect fares. At the end of each day, bring the fares from the various routes together, and have the employees decide democratically where that money should go.

A number of years back, the Dublin Bus drivers refused to take fares as a protest against the company. They only asked for a nominal fare to be paid because the insurance company would refuse to pay for an accident if the customer hadn't paid for the service. So they took fares for 1c or whatever. Unfortunately, they were still docked wages so they never did that again. :P

Just a few updates: SIPTU aren't taking any action against their members and Eugene McDonagh from the NBRU has still to appear before the General Purposes Committee. He was due in front of it tomorrow but it's been postponed for a number of days over a technicality giving Eugene more time to prepare.

Also, in relation to Dublin Bus' claims of stones being thrown at buses and intimidation of drivers, one of the company's worker director's requested to veiw CCTV footage from Phisboro (where it supposedly occured) and there's actually none. The company basically accepted that they had made it up. Two chances of them making that public. As well as that, the female driver that was supposedly intimidated, was actually quite upset having been intimidated by a company manager who told her that she'd be sacked if they didn't drive the bus.

[cyu]

Unfortunately, they were still docked wages so they never did that again.

That's why permanent employee democracy is much better than temporary employee democracy.

However, even if the employee democracy is temporary, if they took full fares, they can support themselves for much longer and thus the "strike" can go on perhaps indefinitely without much loss for the employees. It is only if the bosses seize control again that they may be screwed - which is why it's important to build up support in the community so that the bosses will never again have full (if any) control.

[pastradamus]

On this issue i must also say that Bus Eireann have canceled one of their routes in Cork city. This is an important bus route as it enters from a main artery into the city centre from a working-class residential zone. I went up to the recent protest run by the socialist party's councilor Mick Barry.

He gave a good speech and again I can say the IWU have shown their disgust at the Dismissal of the No2 bus service. It operates as a means of getting people to work in the morning and so is a problem for the local workforce.