Major traffic disruption was expected across Ireland today as rail and bus workers protested at plans to break up CIE.
Drivers are suspending services between 11am and 3pm despite requests yesterday from Transport Minister Seamus Brennan for unions to call off the action.
Although the protest is planned to avoid disruption during the morning and evening rush-hours, very few buses are expected to operate during the four-hour demonstration.
Protest marches were also being held across the country by members of SIPTU and the National Bus and Railworkers’ Union.
Workers are demonstrating over plans to replace holding company CIE with three subsidiary companies.
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.
Both bus and rail workers are expected to take part in marches across the country, with the main protest march taking place in Dublin.
The Dublin march is set to begin at the union’s Parnell Square office and make its way to Government buildings, where it would hand in a letter of protest at the move to disband CIE.
Transport Minister Seamus 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 the city’s bus services would be franchised out to the private sector from 2004.
In a statement yesterday Mr Brennan renewed an invitation for transport unions to meet him and his officials.
He asked unions to reconsider their decision to take action.
“The reform of public transport is taking place in order to deliver to the general public a more efficient, reliable and competitive transport service,” he said.