I.W.U. supports the Drivers

[dubliniwu]

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 a 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

[RedFlag32]

Thanks for this comrade,keep us posted please!

[dangeresque]

great news.

[Papa C.]

Great to see this statement comrade. Thanks for the post. Please keep us up-to-date. It's horrible to watch RTE and listen to them blame the workers on the fact that there's no bus service. It's not the workers fault they're being exploited and separated! All blame is squarely at the foot of management.

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

indymedia.ie/article/85068


People should be bloody payed for their travel to work. The amount of hours of a persons life spent sitting in traffic. Its hardly classified as "free time", but its appart of work, and so people should be payed for it.

I think its something very much neglected. Travel time is neither freetime nor wage time - and so it sits in the middle and the bosses think thay can ignore its existence and that it has nothing to do with them because it generates no income and they dont pay wages for it.

A worker who travels 3 hours to work gets the same wage as a similar ranked worker who lives next door to his job - that dosnt make sense does it?

If they were payed, a worker who travels furthest also gets rewarded for that.

Unions it seems to me do to much defense, not enough assault. They sit waiting for the bosses to play a card (which they usually win in one shape or another) instead of being in a constant struggle to progress workers conditions, not just keeping them static.

That said, reality is alittle more difficult ;D


What unions are involved in this does anyone know?

[dubliniwu]

The I.W.U. are presently seeking a way to rejuvenate in its P.R., and physically change the perception of what a ‘traditional’ trade union means, and its place in society.
This is being lead by a number of young activists from various left wing organisation who hope to some what unite the left in campaigns that effect workers, not just within the work place but with in society. We need to raise the awareness of the worker to class struggle and make the connection between the oppression in the work place and the oppression of the working class with in society.

I appeal to anyone here to P.M. me and get involve in any level in the union and help. I will P.M. you a small document of our vision of what a union should represent and where we hope to take the union. We need the youth, and their vision.

[Stallit 2 de Halfo]

Dublin Bus

Matt Waine

Between 12-18 November, 450 Dublin Bus workers at the Harristown depot in north Dublin took official strike action against management attempts to force through changes in working conditions.

The dispute began when management reneged on a previous agreement made when the Harristown deport opened in 2004, that all routes would begin, break and finish in the depot and not in the city centre as is the case with other garages. This was in recognition of the fact that Harristown, unlike the other more centrally located depots, is 11km outside the city centre.

The new arrangement would mean that drivers would be forced to park their car in Harristown and take a bus to the city to pick up their own bus and the same at the end of their shift, therefore lengthening the working week without extra pay.

Socialist Party member and SIPTU shop steward in Harristown, John McCamley said, “Even though the new arrangements would only affect a small number of workers, the drivers realised this was the start of a general attack on our rights and conditions. Once the company started suspending members, we implemented all-out strike action.”

“No one wanted to go on strike six weeks before Christmas. Most of the lads have families and mortgages, but we were left with no choice.”

Pickets were placed on the Harristown depot, impressively manned throughout the dispute, involving many migrant workers and on 14 November, a demonstration of 400, including many drivers from other garages took place.

The unity and high morale surprised everyone, including management who after agreeing to go to the Labour Court, were forced to give important concessions. The deal emphasises the voluntary aspects of implementing the changed arrangements and other existing routes cannot be altered unless 80% of drivers agree. Also, the allowance for travelling time will be extended.

John McCamley continues, “Whilst not achieving all the demands, the strike nonetheless is an important milestone. Management have been forced back on implementing a generalised attack on conditions. Unity between Irish and non-national drivers has been strengthened. The strike also shows the need for bus workers across the city to unite and prepare for future attacks, particularly privatisation and deregulation. Recent events in Aer Lingus show the need for democratic campaigning unions to defend the interests of workers. Events in Harristown show how to take on the bosses and win concessions.”

Socialist Party