THE largest two unions in CIE have called for a national day of protest by the company's 10,600 workers on Budget day next Wednesday. SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union are calling for maximum support for their joint "Protest Day of Action".
Both unions are calling the protest to express opposition, to CIE's proposals to cut £44 million a year from operating costs. This involves reducing wages by up to £200 a week and abolishing many long standing restrictive work practices.
The SIPTU notice of the protest to members stresses that this is not industrial action and any individual participating in it is doing so of their own free will. It is important to note that a good attendance is imperative."
Both unions could be liable to prosecution under the 1990 Industrial Relations Act if the protests prove disruptive to CIE services. The company could even attempt to injunct the protests. However, it decided to allow a similar demonstration to go ahead late last year, when talks on its viability plan began and may adopt the same approach again.
The main march takes place from Liberty Hall in Dublin to the Dail at noon on Budget day, but protests are being organised at other centres around the State.
Meanwhile the danger of serious industrial action before the end of the month has also arisen in Bus Eireann. A spokesman for the company said after talks with its unions yesterday that it intends to introduce one person operated (OPO) buses on its city services in Cork and Limerick from January 31st.
The NBRU general secretary, Mr Peter Bunting, said last night: "They absolutely and utterly cannot do that. They said they will negotiate and until such time as they negotiate they will not get anything."