Luas drivers to continue strikes despite pay threat

Luas drivers will not back down on their planned programme of industrial action over pay and conditions despite the threat of a 10 per cent pay cut set to come in on Friday.

Siptu shop stewart Richard McCarthy told RTÉ that tram drivers want to get Luas operator Transdev back to the negotiating table following a meeting that took place on Thurday evening.

Luas drivers met on Thursday to decide on a response to the warning issued by Transdev management on pay.

Transdev had said a unilateral 10 per cent pay cut would come into effect from Friday morning if drivers did not lift the ongoing work-to-rule.

Transdev also warned staff that deeper pay cuts could be imposed in the future and said it was continuing to consider other options such as lay-offs or short- term working for drivers who continued to engage in strikes or the work-to-rule.

Siptu said drivers will not accept the unilateral pay cuts, which they called “unlawful”.

Siptu has served notice of strike action on Wednesday, May 4th, Friday, May 13th, Friday, May 20th, Thursday, May 26th (four hours from 3pm–7pm) and Friday, May 27th.

Strike action

Both green and red line Luas trams are not operating on Thursday due to strike action by drivers, which will disrupt the travel plans of up to 90,000 people.

There will likely be excess traffic on major routes across Dublin city as extra motorists take to the roads, according to AA Roadwatch.

Normal service will resume at 5.30am on Friday, with another day of industrial action planned by drivers for Wednesday, May 4th, as part of their campaign for improved terms and conditions.

Despite agreeing a revised pay deal with the company earlier this week, three non-driver grades of Luas employees did not turn up for work on Thursday, according to Transdev.

These grades include traffic supervisors and revenue protection officers and supervisors.

Luas tickets are not valid on any other kind of public transport during the strike.