Workers at the depot have expressed concern that these job losses will likely lead to the closure of the depot, as the engineering section is essential for keeping buses on the road. Translink management have given “reassurances” this is will not happen, but workers are rightly unconvinced, leading to tensions rising between the workforce and management.
These tensions spilled over in September when engineering staff mounted an unofficial stoppage for several hours in response to management reneging on agreements that buses would not leave the site without a full PSV check. The fact that Translink management were prepared to bypass engineer workers and send buses on the road without full health & safety checks is a scandal.
The strike was only called off when a UNITE union official intervened and convinced the workers to return to work, with agreement from management that it would not happen again. UNITE officials have been in negotiations with Translink over the threatened job losses but many workers are frustrated with the union officials approach as it appears that UNITE are willing to accept redundancies and redeployment rather than fight for the jobs and service.
The unofficial action clearly shows that bus workers are willing to fight for their jobs and that management can be forced to retreat. The spontaneous unofficial action by the engineers shows that workers instinctively understand the correct method to fight job cuts. Bus workers should build on this approach and rejecting any deals which involve cuts to jobs and services.
The real effects of these cuts can be seen with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service cutting 70,000 hours from front line cover. This will affect people across the North, but will particularly hit those in rural areas that have suffered from years of cuts backs including the closure of several hospitals.
The Socialist Party has challenged Councillor Tom Hartley, who sits on the Belfast Health Trust's Executive Board, to publicly justify the massive cuts the Trust is implementing. After receiving a 'response' from Mr. Hartley, West Belfast Socialist Representative Pat Lawlor wrote this letter, which was carried in the Irish News and Andersonstown News.