CIE unions continue talks as strike plan is called off

Unions in CIÉ and the Department of Transport meet today for continued talks to find agreement on the future organisation of public transport.

After progress earlier this week, the National Bus and Rail Union yesterday formally called off a planned series of strikes, due to begin with a one-day stoppage on Tuesday. Its general secretary, Mr Liam Tobin, said the decision allowed talks with the Department to continue "in a positive fashion".

The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, denied yesterday he had done a "U-turn" on plans to open up bus markets to increased competition. As reported in The Irish Times on Tuesday, Mr Brennan has stepped back from his plan to have 25 per cent of the Dublin bus market placed under the control of private operators.

In talks on Monday, Department officials agreed to negotiate on the basis of an agenda which provided for Dublin Bus to be maintained in size and allowed to grow.

But unions also agreed to discuss ways of achieving a genuine opening up of markets, as sought by Mr Brennan.

The talks chairman, Mr Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, told the parties he believed these twin objectives could be achieved.

Mr Brennan said yesterday that neither side had moved from its position, but they had both "stepped back from the brink" of transport strikes.

Meetings between the parties will continue through the August holiday period, with a view to finding agreement by September 17th.