It is 12 months since Dublin Bus dismissed Eugene McDonagh, the National Executive of the NBRU in Harristown Garage over an unofficial dispute in 2009.

The dispute arose over management’s decision to rush in changes on drivers schedules’ without adequate consultation. The unofficial action affected five garages over three days and involved over a thousand drivers. But Eugene was the only worker sacked after a lengthy investigation that involved widespread intimidation and threats against drivers by management.

A recent LRC inquiry into the dispute found that the company breeched its own procedures by holding meetings with drivers outside the disciplinary process after they had written to drivers threatening to sack and sue workers under the 1990 industrial Relations Act. The inquiry also found that the company knew that forcing in the disputed roster would
trigger a dispute, but that they went ahead anyway.

Eugene McDonagh had worked for over 23 years with Dublin Bus he had an exemplary record for driving, safety, and attendance. However he was also a vociferous defender of public transport and had publically opposed cuts to routes and services planned by Dublin Bus. In the months preceding the dispute Eugene had spoken at dozens of meetings across the city against the planned cuts to the network. We believe this and the fact that the Harristown garage had repeatedly rejected cost cutting measures made him a target.

We believe that Eugene’s case is of huge importance to other trade unionists. The targeting of a shop steward in this manner and the threats to use the Industrial Relations act are designed to cower workers representatives and if unchallenged will be used in the future against other trade unionists.

Eugene is awaiting a hearing at the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT). There is at present a wait of over 15 months for hearings, a fact that is testimony to the inadequate right to appeal such unjust sackings. He has continued to campaign against his dismissal and raise awareness of the issues among the wider trade union movement.

To mark the anniversary he and his supporters will be holding a protest outside his union’s office at Parnell Square West at 12 O’clock till 2pm on Wed April 6th. Like most of the official union movement his union has done little if anything to defend him during the company’s attacks. Despite their rhetoric, officials have done NOTHING to push this case. Hundreds of workers have left the union in disgust at Eugene’s sacking.

The campaign to reinstate Eugene McDonagh is asking for any support you or your organization can give, we are inviting you and any of your representatives, TDs or Councillors, to attend Eugene’s protest on April 6th at 12 O’ clock.