An uncertain week lies ahead for taxi commuters with more than 1,300 SIPTU drivers due to withdraw services next Wednesday, and a meeting of other taxi unions on Monday to discuss possible further industrial action.
SIPTU's Dublin taxi drivers branch official, Mr Jerry Brennan, said yesterday that its drivers will stop working from midnight on Tuesday until noon on Wednesday. Their action is in protest at the lack of progress in meeting their demands for tighter controls and better fares, he said.
Meanwhile, the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation and National Taxi Drivers' Union are to meet on Monday to decide whether to take action in support of their demands for compensation following deregulation of the industry last year.
Mr John Ussher of the federation would not comment on what tactics might be adopted, but expressed disappointment that SIPTU had decided to act unilaterally.
Expressing "surprise" at the SIPTU action, Mr Tommy Gorman of the union, which comprises 3,300 members, said he felt it would be "counterproductive" to engage in industrial action at this time while they were in negotiations with the Taoiseach.
Mr Brennan said the action planned "is not a strike and we will not be blockading the streets". He said, however, they may picket ranks "if necessary".