Busworker, August 1998

Many thanks to the person who forwarded this to the Archive. Any information about the Busworkers Action Group would be very welcome. It is mentioned on the SIPTU Activist blog in 2013. There’s mention in 2009 of other actions and this document dates to 1998.

It argues that:

Last week’s magnificent vote is major victory for all bus workers.

After all the pressure only 432 voted for the deal while 837 voted against.

We stood up to the company, govern­ment and our own union leaders and re­jected a lousy plan, We defended the rights of future workers rejected contracting and defended public transport.

Our union leaders united for the first time in many years to sell us this deal. Bus workers should now demand they unite in our interests.

It also notes:

Successive issues of Busworker played an important role in explaining the issues and getting out the No vote in last week’s ballot.

Supporters of Busworker in the garages carried the word and helped organise opposition to the Viability Plan. We now need workers in every garage to join us and push our unions. to campaign on these issues, explain the issues to fellow workers and distribute future issues of Busworker.

And it includes a list of demands:

We are NOT trying to set up a third union. We support the unions when they are fighting and reserve the right to campaign independently when they are not.

• A 15%, no strings attached, actual pay rise!

• The right to retire at 55!

• A decent pension!

• A massive investment in Public Transport!

• No Private Contracting

• No 8 year pay scales, part-time or seasonal workers!

• City-wide garage elections

• Trade unions that are rooted to the shop floor, accountable to their members and no longer acting as consultants to management.

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