Luas talks resume after notice of further strikes in April

Talks resumed on Friday morning between Luas operator Transdev and Siptu, which represents the drivers.

Siptu on Thursday served notice on Transdev for two more stoppages on Saturday and Sunday April 2nd and 3rd, and on Saturday and Sunday, April 23rd and 24th.

Siptu said it had no choice but to schedule further strikes as Transdev will not talk to drivers about their pay claim.

Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission aimed at averting further strikes broke down earlier this week.

The talks resumed at 9am on Friday following an early morning radio debate on Newstalk between representatives for the two groups.

Managing director of Transdev Ireland Gerry Madden reiterated that tram drivers’ pay claims were “off the scale” and that Transdev would not negotiate a 30 per cent pay claim.

“We are facing today a claim of 30 per cent,” said Mr Madden. “They want to move from a 6.5 per cent bonus to 10 per cent, they want the company to double the pension contribution and effectively by 2019 a tram driver on the maxium scale will be on €61,000.”

Divisional organiser of Siptu Owen Reidy said drivers felt underpaid for the work they’re expected to do and were demanding a 27 per cent increase over five years.

Drivers had previously looked for rises of up to 53 percent. Transdev has maintained that this is excessive.

‘Disbelief’

Transdev previously said the decision by the drivers showed a “total disrespect to the public, Luas customers and business” with managing director Gerry Madden expressing his “disbelief” at the move.

“The public will have no tram service for St Patrick’s Day, no tram service for Easter Weekend and now no tram service for two weekends in April,” he said.

“The public, Luas customers and business are the real losers here.”

He said Transdev was to have talks at the Workplace Relations Commission with three of the four grades of staff at the company, who he said were willing to participate.

“Transdev is willing to talk with the driver grade in the WRC but have stated that those talks will only be meaningful if the pay claim is modified to a reasonable point,” he said.

Standstill

The dispute has already seen Luas services brought to a standstill for four days.

Workplace Relations Commission director general Kieran Mulvey has said there is “still time” to resolve the dispute between Luas management and staff before an all-out strike is called.

Mr Mulvey also said the incoming government will have to deal with a “slow ticking timebomb” around the expiration of the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement.

Employers group Ibec said there could be knock-on effects for other businesses if Transdev, the company that runs Luas, gives in to workers’ demands.

Ibec director of employer relations Maeve McElwee said what the Luas staff are looking for is “well in excess” of what pertains in the industry at the moment.