Crisis talks bid to halt transport strike chaos

LAST-DITCH efforts to diffuse hostilities between Transport Minister Seamus Brennan and CIÉ unions begin this morning as talks aimed at avoiding crippling transport strikes get under way.

The tense nature of today's discussions which take place just days after an unofficial stoppage of Dublin Bus drivers disrupted services is heightened by the fact that the SIPTU strike committees of Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann have already arranged to meet tomorrow to plan their next move.

Both SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU) have already balloted for industrial action over Mr Brennan's plans to dismantle CIÉ and open up 25% of Dublin Bus routes to competition.