Bus and train staff are to take strike action on May 6

Bus and rail staff will hold a one day strike on Wednesday, May 6, union Unite has confirmed.

The 24 hour stoppage by Translink workers will affect all Metro, Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways services.

The strike is the second action by public transport workers in Northern Ireland this year.

Bus and rail staff joined a strike by public sector workers across the province on March 13.

Unite regional secretary Jimmy Kelly said the industrial action was in response to proposed Translink budget cuts.

“The proposed cuts to bus and rail services being brought forward by Translink will impact the most vulnerable people in our society – including the old and infirm, those with families, the working poor, those living in isolated, rural communities who are dependent on public transport.

"Cuts are being proposed to hospital runs, shopping services, rural routes and town centre buses as well as to cuts to morning, evening and Saturday rail services on the Larne-Belfast and Newry-Bangor lines," he said.

He added: “These cuts will force increasing numbers onto the roads at a time when funding for Roads maintenance budgets is being cut to the bone and roads maintenance workers confined to depots for lack of tar, concrete or diesel."

Mr Kelly said he has sought a meeting with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness regarding funding for public transport.

Belfast Telegraph