SIPTU have told their members at Bus Eireann to prepare for protracted strike action.

The trade union has delivered placards and other strike materials to SIPTU offices in Cork, Waterford, Tralee, Galway, Castlebar, Letterkenny, Drogheda and Sligo. 

SIPTU says it follows management's decision last Wednesday's to pull out of talks at the WRC - while blaming inertia by the Transport Minister, NTA and rural TDs whom they accuse of going to ground.

Bus Eireann said earlier this week that the company could be insolvent by May unless 12 million euro in payroll savings were made.

And Willie Noone from SIPTU believes Bus Eireann are putting plans in place in the event of a strike;

The NBRU has welcomed a commitment by the Social Protection Minister to increase the subvention to Bus Eireann due to rising numbers in the free travel scheme.

Leo Varadkar says he’ll defend the travel pass to the hilt – but wants an absolute assurance that services won’t be cut back.

Bus Eireann said it could be insolvent by May unless pay cuts of 12 million euro are introduced.

Juliette Gash reports;