Go-Ahead must pull out all the stops to avoid bus strikes
Labour transport spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Saturday, 11th February) called on the management of Go-Ahead Ireland to immediately and meaningfully engage with SIPTU representatives in order to avoid widespread strikes and disruption across the bus network over the coming weeks.
Deputy Smith said:
“The refusal of Go-Ahead to engage in meaningful talks on pay that will honestly take into account the impact of the cost-of-living crisis is utterly regrettable. SIPTU members in Go-Ahead are not immune from the inflationary pressures that hundreds of thousands of workers are facing and they need to see some real light at the end of the tunnel. The reality is that the current collective agreement takes no account whatsoever of the significant additional cost-of-living increases workers are facing and that needs to change.
“Across the water, the same company has agreed a significant pay deal for its workers and the demands for a similar approach be taken for the company’s 300 workers in Ireland is a fair and reasonable one. The onus is now on Go-Ahead management to pull out all the stops and respect the plight of their hard-working staff. They must immediately meaningfully engage with union representatives and do everything in their power to avoid these unnecessary strikes.”