Sir, - Last Spring SIPTU was busy wooing Ryanair baggage handlers to become union members, being concerned that they were open to exploitation/intimidation/ low pay and bullying by Ryanair management. Many politicians spoke out in favour of SIPTU at the time.
Now, with governmental approval, SIPTU, the NBRU and Dublin Bus management, produced a "viability plan" for Dublin Bus. One of the proposals contained in the plan is that future newly recruited bus drivers would commence employment at approximately £6.00 per hour gross (including shift allowance etc). The current national minimum wage being considered is £4.40 per hour!
SIPTU recommended that the drivers presently employed would accept the deal for a once-off payment of £1,000 gross per driver and a nominal pay increase. The viability plan has been twice rejected so far.
Ryanair baggage handlers turned down SIPTU's advances, rating the shares which they received from their own company to be a better investment in their futures. This starkly contrasts with the return on the £2.20 per week that each driver must pay to SIPTU in union dues. - Yours, etc., Pat Timmons, (SIPTU member)
Dublin Bus, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.