Unions to meet transport officials over dispute

Department of Transport officials and union representatives are to meet this morning to prepare for a further talks on the future…

Department of Transport officials and union representatives are to meet this morning to prepare for a further talks on the future of CIÉ.

Thousands of Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann workers held a four-hour stoppage yesterday that affected tens of thousands of bus and rail passengers.

Arrangements for new negotiations, chaired by Mr Kevin Foley of the Labour Relations Commission, are to be discussed at this morning's meeting at the Department of Transport.

SIPTU has set an effective deadline of March 18th for the talks to conclude.

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The unions have threatened further transport disruption if the talks are not successful. They claim industrial action is necessary to highlight members' fears for their jobs and frustration at the slow pace of discussions to date

The unions are opposed to plans by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, to break up CIÉ and force Dublin Bus to surrender up to 25 per cent of its existing routes to private operators.

Yesterday's strike was condemned by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who said he "could not understand the logic" behind it.