SIPTU has said it is disappointed at the failure of Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to agree on a date to meet workers to discuss abuse and anti-social behaviour on the public transport network.
A recent survey of more than 600 of the union’s members in the transport sector showed that over 80% of respondents felt that abuse and anti-social behaviour was an issue for them at work.
The majority of those who have endured abuse at their job said they believed the problem has got worse in the last 12 months.
“We have received an acknowledgement from the Minister’s office indicating that it received our letter seeking an urgent meeting to discuss the SIPTU Respect Transport Workers campaign and the disturbing issues it has highlighted concerning abuse of our members,” said SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane.
“The Minister’s lack of action is in stark contrast to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications which has confirmed that SIPTU representatives and members will address it concerning the Respect Transport Workers campaign in April.”
When SIPTU’s survey was released last month, the main public transport operators said they had increased security resources through the use of CCTV cameras and enhanced co-operation with An Garda Síochána.
They also pointed to training and education programmes aimed at tackling abuse and anti-social behaviour.
