Strike looms as union pulls out of CIÉ talks

THE prospect of a series of crippling rail and bus strikes moved a step closer last night as the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU) said it was prepared to step up its action to protect CIÉ members.

At an emergency meeting of the NBRU executive yesterday the union decided to withdraw from talks with the Department of Transport and mandate its officers to take industrial action.

A ballot in favour of strike was originally passed by workers in August last year. After an initial no-fares day industrial action was postponed as talks were agreed with the department.