CIE unions agree series of strike actions

CIE UNIONS yesterday agreed a series of strike actions commencing next month as they intensified their battle over Transport Minister Séamus Brennan’s plans to break up the company.

However, in a bid to pacify transport users, train and bus drivers will refuse to charge fares and instead hand out information leaflets on the first day of action, planned for July 18.

A full day strike and national day of protest will then take place on August 19 with additional one day stoppages planned for the following months. All CIE companies Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann will participate in the industrial action. The companies have a combined staff of close to 3,500 nationwide who fear a breakup would involve significant redundancies.