Bus/rail strike closer as unions promise to ‘fight’

THE likelihood of a nationwide bus and rail strike moved a step closer yesterday as CIÉ transport unions held an unofficial stoppage, disrupting some services in Dublin.

Up to 500 members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union attended an information meeting yesterday in opposition to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan’s plan to privatise 25% of Dublin Bus and break up CIÉ.

CIÉ unions are due to meet Mr Brennan on Monday to discuss their concerns over job security and terms and conditions should CIÉ be broken up.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting in Liberty Hall, SIPTU officials said workers were totally opposed to the Government’s plans for the break-up of CIÉ and the privatisation of Dublin Bus.

SIPTU branch secretary Tony Tobin said drivers were prepared for full industrial action.

“The Minister must take the issue of the 25% privatisation off the table and also the break-up of CIÉ. Failure to do so will certainly result in strike action in the very near future,” he said.

A decision on industrial action will be taken by the unions next Tuesday in the wake of their meeting with Mr Brennan.

However, Mr Tobin said he was not hopeful of a resolution. There was real anger at the Government’s plans, he said, warning that if Minister Brennan wanted a fight, he would get one.

Yesterday’s meeting was originally planned to coincide with the cancelled Aer Rianta stoppage but went ahead despite the fact that SIPTU called off its airport strikes at the last moment.

A spokesman for Minister Brennan described yesterday’s action by Dublin Bus workers as unnecessary.

“We feel that today’s action was unnecessary given that we are scheduled to meet on Monday. Whatever concerns there are can be discussed at that stage,” he said.

Train services to and from Mayo are threatened with disruption today because of unofficial industrial action by train drivers in Westport.

Six SIPTU and ATGWU drivers are in dispute with Iarnród Éireann over rostering arrangements.

Although the dispute has been referred to the Labour Court, the drivers have warned they intend to withdraw their services.

Six trains carrying an estimated 2,000 passengers between Dublin and Westport could be affected. Iarnród Éireann said it will provide alternative bus services for the affected routes.