SIPTU reps meet with Ryan about transport worker respect campaign

SIPTU representatives from across the public transport system met with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan to discuss the union’s Respect Transport Workers campaign.

The Respect Transport Workers campaign is aimed at achieving greater protections against anti-social behaviour and abuse for staff employed across the transport network. The proposals include the establishment of a stakeholders forum, a transport police unit and a passengers charter.

Speaking after the meeting with the Minister, SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “We had a good engagement with the Minister and his advisers on the issues facing our members. We shared with the Minister the findings from our initial survey concerning the escalating problem of anti-social behaviour on the public transport network and the need for an effective Government response.”

SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “The Minister has committed to ongoing engagement with us on this subject. He further committed to reflect on the SIPTU proposal for a dedicated transport police and the development of a charter for users of public transport.”

He added: “We welcome that our campaign seems to already have had an impact with the Gardai today taking a more visible presence on public transport in the centre of Dublin. We will also be meeting with Gardai to discuss the Respect Transport Workers campaign.”

Kane added: “SIPTU will be releasing the findings of our second survey concerning the issues of abuse and antisocial behaviour on our public transport network in early April. This survey focuses on two particularly worrying issues which are an increase in drug use on the transport system and the level of racialised abuse.

“Our campaign will continue until the security issues faced by our members are effectively addressed. Our members believe this should include a new transport policing structure and the establishment of a national forum, comprised of public representatives, Gardaí, trade unions, community groups and public transport users which will discuss the ways in which we can deal with this issue.”