CIE privatisation strike halts transport network
Bus and rail services across Ireland came to a standstill today as workers demonstrated over a decision to break up state transport company CIE.
Thousands of drivers suspended services in towns and cities and many marched through the streets in protest at the abolition of CIE.
Most buses and trains to Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Galway were disrupted, as well as city and suburban services and Dublin’s DART link.
Although the action took place from 11am until 3pm, a knock-on effect was expected to continue into the early evening.
The largest protest march took place in Dublin, where around a thousand union members were led by a piper from Parnell Square across O’Connell bridge and to the Department of Transport building.
Around 800 members took part in the action in Cork, 300 in Limerick and in Galway and 150 in Waterford.
Members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers’ Union were demonstrating over plans by Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to replace holding company CIE with three independent companies.
Mr Brennan announced last November his plans to abolish CIE and establish the existing three bus firms as independent commercial state companies.
He said that up to a quarter of Dublin’s bus services would be franchised out to the private sector from 2004.
SIPTU branch secretary Toby Tobin tonight warned that further action may follow.
“There has to be a follow-up to this,” he said. “We will consider our position and may respond with further action in two or three weeks’ time.”
He said the unions were angry that Mr Brennan and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern had offered to speak to them through statements but had not made any direct contact.
Liam Tobin, NBRU General Secretary, said today’s action was prompted by news that the Government now had issued private operators with licences to operate on certain bus routes.
“What’s happening is the minister is fast-tracking his plans for privatisation without consultation and without negotiation with the trade unions,” Mr Tobin said.
