Brennan faces strike over transport decisions

TRANSPORT Minister Seamus Brennan is facing threatened strikes by bus, train and airport workers this summer if he proceeds with plans to break up CIE and Aer Rianta.

Unions representing over 5,000 workers in the two State companies are balloting their members for strike action because they claim the moves will lead to major job losses.

SIPTU, the union which represents most workers at Aer Rianta, confirmed yesterday that it will ballot

its 1,500 members within the next week for strike

action.

And the National Rail and Bus Union (NBRU) will start balloting its 3,500 members todayto secure the go-ahead for industrial action.

Both unions say that

their members are angry with Mr Brennan’s plan to break up the two State companies because they fear there is no guarantee for their jobs. The Taoiseach sent a letter to the unions on February 10 committing the Government to a process of engagement in relation to possible changes at State- owned companies.