Bus services in Dublin are threatened with severe disruption today because of unofficial action by drivers, who are due to attend a mass union meeting.
Ironically, the protest was organised to coincide with a planned stoppage at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports today. That action, however, was called off yesterday by SIPTU. Despite that decision, the union's Dublin Bus branch resolved to go ahead with an "information meeting" for workers at 11 a.m.
It is inviting all bus workers, including members of the National Bus and Rail Union, to attend the meeting at Liberty Hall.
Dublin Bus said the event could cause "severe disruption" from as early as 9.30 a.m., when drivers are likely to begin making their way to the meeting, which is expected to last for up to two hours. Services may not return to normal until the early afternoon.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, who is due to recommence talks with the CIÉ unions on Monday, said the action was unnecessary. "There is no need for it. I am meeting the complete group of unions in CIÉ and the agenda will cover all of the issues of concern."
SIPTU members make up about 60 per cent of Dublin Bus's 2,400 drivers. The extent to which NBRU drivers, who comprise the other 40 per cent, will support the action will not be known until today.
The NBRU's general secretary, Mr Liam Tobin, said it had advised members yesterday that anyone who was not rostered for duty should feel free to attend.
The meeting, organised by SIPTU's Dublin Bus branch, does not have the sanction of the union's senior officials. Dublin Bus says workers who attend the meeting while rostered for work will have wages deducted.