Drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have voted overwhelmingly to back strike action in protest at the potential privatisation of routes, a move that is likely to lead to severe transport disruption in the coming weeks.

The union’s senior shop stewards in the two State-owned transport companies are expected to meet early next week to decide on the nature and timing of any action.

The drivers in Dublin Bus who are represented by Siptu voted by 93 per cent for industrial action and by 90 per cent in favour of strike action.

In Bus Éireann, drivers represented by Siptu backed strike action by 93 per cent and industrial action by 95 per cent.

The results of a ballot for industrial action of second union, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), are expected early next week.

The NBRU is also expected to begin a court action next week aimed at blocking the reform plans for bus services drawn up by the National Transport Authority.

The dispute centres around plans by the National Transport Authority to put out to tender 10 per cent of routes currently operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.

The two State-owned transport companies will be allowed to compete in the proposed tender process for the routes.

Tendering proposals

However, unions fear the tendering proposals could lead to the privatisation of routes and would result in a deterioration of their members’ terms and conditions if they had to move to private operators.

The Government is supporting the plans of the National Transport Authority.

A spokeswoman for Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said he was committed to the tendering of 10 per cent of bus routes.

She said the Minister believed the Government’s support for improved bus services “should be given in conjunction with an appropriate degree of competitive tension within the market”.

“Improved public transport, whether new services or increased frequencies of existing services, will require additional funding and the approach being adopted by the Minister is in the interest of quality and cost effectiveness for commuters.”

Siptu utilities and construction division organiser, Owen Reidy, said: "This result demonstrates the significant frustration amongst drivers in both companies at the lack of progress in addressing workers' concerns over the National Transport Authority plan to privatise 10 per cent of bus services.

“We have been unable to persuade the National Transport Authority, to date, to abandon their flawed privatisation plan.”

He said Siptu had also tabled a number of issues in recent talks instigated by the Minster for Transport and facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission, but these had not been adequately dealt with.

“This combined with both bus companies’ failure to guarantee the tenure, security and quality of our members’ employment has led to an impasse in the talks process and our members strong mandate for action. Siptu senior shop stewards from both companies will meet on Monday to discuss how to proceed.”

Under the current plans, orbital routes in Dublin, such as those between Blackrock and Rialto, and Chapelizod and Tallaght, would be put out to tender.

Bus Éireann routes earmarked for tender include commuter services from Dublin to Tullamore, Portlaoise and Kildare, as well as a number of routes in Waterford city.