Work Stoppages * Ireland - Dempsey urged to take 'hands on' approach in bus crisis

Dublin,Ireland -The Irish Times -February 17, 2009: -- Politicians and business representatives have called for action after the National Bus and Rail Workers Union announced its members would be taking part in work stoppages starting at the end of the month... Labour spokesman on transport Tommy Broughan has called for Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to take a hands on approach to the escalating action at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann... Mr Broughan asked the Minister to engage with staff and management at the transport firms and address what he described as "savage" cutbacks in jobs and services that would have a "profoundly devastating impact" on rural and urban communities across the country...


* Dublin Bus drivers vote for all-out strike from March 1st

Dublin,Ireland -The Irish Times, by ELAINE EDWARDS -February 18, 2009: -- Siptu-represented drivers at Dublin Bus have voted to strike from midnight on March 1st in protest at the company's decision to cut jobs and bus routes throughout the capital... The Dublin Bus branch of Siptu decided today to implement the mandate received from drivers... The union said the strike action was not just for one day only but would be "continuous" as it was apparent that "no alternative course of action is left open to Siptu drivers in Dublin Bus to protect their conditions of employment in the company"... CIÉ management at Dublin Bus is planning to cut 290 jobs, including 160 drivers, and intends to reduce its fleet by 120 buses. Bus Éireann is planning 322 redundancies, including 110 drivers and a fleet reduction of 150 vehicles... (Picture by Eric Luke: Siptu bus drivers protesting outside Leinster House today)