VARADKAR THE SNOB – NO UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE. Brid made the point today in the Dáil that BUS EIREANN strikers face hardship, as do people depending on public transport, and hardship is nothing that Varadakar and his kind ever have, or ever will, experience. So he makes flippant comments about subsidies to public services while the government ignores the €100 million in unanticipated VAT returns that could fix this strike today. The contempt of this government for ordinary people becomes more evident by day.

We had a brilliant AGM for People Before Profit today. But the most inspiring bit of it was the contribution from our honoured guests – the striking Bus Eireann workers. In this clip you will hear Sean Thunder speaking, following Brid’s introduction. Further speeches have been recorded and we will post them as they become available.

Brid says: “The respect shown for Bus Eireann pickets today by Dublin Bus and Irish Rail workers was truly wonderful. This is the sort of action that can win”. Brid was on the Sean O Rourke programme this morning discussing the dispute. The clip below is a recording of that section of the show that addressed the dispute.

 

BRID CALLS SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORT STRIKE WEDNESDAY 29 March, 1.00pm DÁIL.
Today Brid asked Kenny the following: 1. How does he justify 30% cut to bus workers wages. 2. What is the over-paid Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, for? Judge his responses yourself in the video clip here. The fate of Bus Eireann workers in particular and transport workers in general, hangs in the balance here. As many workers as possible must support Bus Eireann workers outside the Dail tomorrow.

 

Brid was on Claire Byrne’s radio programme with Leo Varadaker and others. The latest scandal in the Gardai, was discussed as well as Leo’s plans to further pamper the rich with tax breaks. But what Brid really wanted to talk about was the bus strike. Its really annoying when the important stuff gets passed over.Have a listen – see what you think.

 

People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith, has urged workers and trade unionists across the country to support the Bus Eireann workers’ fight against planned cuts due to be introduced by management.

Following the collapse of talks today, a dispute seems inevitable at the company.

Deputy Smith slammed the management plan, saying it was based on fantasy figures and would undermine the entire national bus network, especially isolated rural areas.

She said: “It is part of the race to the bottom, a drive to a low wage, flexible hours economy that must be resisted by all workers.”

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