Bus and rail strikes still on cards as unions give go ahead

STRIKE action at all three CIÉ companies remained a possibility last night as SIPTU refused to call off a stoppage planned for March 18.

Despite apparent concessions from Transport Minister Seamus Brennan on Thursday, which were cautiously welcomed by the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU), a meeting of SIPTU’s strike committee yesterday decided against postponing industrial action.

Both unions are resisting Government plans to break up CIÉ and franchise out 25% of Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann routes.