Unions not united about planned strike

There's no sign of union comradeship over next week's planned 24-hour transport strike.

The National Bus and Rail Workers Union is so far refusing to join SIPTU's unilateral action over the proposed break-up of CIE and franchising of bus routes.

The public faces another walk to work on March 18, the day after Saint Patrick's Day.

Mystery surrounds SIPTU's decision after N-B-R-U General Secretary Liam Tobin expressed satisfaction with the talks process being overseen by an independent chairman.