Proposal to review finances of Luas firm

The Labour Court has proposed that an independent financial assessment of the company that operates the Luas tram system in Dublin should be conducted in advance of a hearing into a pay claim.

The Irish Times reported that Luas drivers are to seek a pay rise of some 40 per cent in a bid to achieve parity with train drivers at Iarnród Éireann.

Luas drivers currently have maximum annual earnings of some €42,000, while Iarnród Éireann drivers are on a maximum of some €60,000, albeit for a slightly longer 43½-hour working week.

Siptu said on Tuesday night that its members would consider a Labour Court request that an independent financial assessment of the company which operates the LUAS network be undertaken prior to them proceeding with a claim for improvements to their terms and conditions of employment.

Siptu organiser John Murphy said: "Union representatives attended a meeting of the Labour Court on Tuesday convened to consider improvements in the terms and conditions of employment for our members in Luas.

"At this meeting the Labour Court expressed the view that the substantive issue could not be addressed prior to a full independent assessment of the financial position of Transdev, the company which operates Luas.

“The Labour Court will now write to the parties outlining its view in detail, and our members will then consider their response to its request that they defer their claim until a full independent financial review of Transdev is undertaken.”