Luas workers announce six more days of strike action

SIPTU has said there is "no prospect" of a breakthrough in talks between Luas workers and operator Transdev, as a further six days of strike action were announced.

The dates for 24 hour stoppages are:

Saturday April 23rd and Sunday April 24th (notice already served)
Thursday April 28th
Wednesday May 4th
Friday May 13th
Friday May 20th
Thursday May 26th (Four hour work stoppage from 3pm–7pm)
Friday May 27th

The workers also said the work to rule policy, which is when employees do no more than the minimum required by the rules of their contract, is to recommence “indefinitely” from April 17th.

The workers have already been on strike for eight days, and SIPTU divisional organiser Owen Reidy said there was “no prospect” of a breakthrough in the talks.

“The workers felt having been out for eight days since February 6th and with no prospect of any process or any agreement on the horizon that they had to continue with their industrial action,” he said.

“The reason the days were announced today was to give the company ample time to reflect on its own position and space to see can some kind of process be created or negotiation where we can reach an agreement.”

Mr Reidy said there was almost two and a half weeks until the next strike date and that it was hoped a resolution could be reached between now and then.

“We would hope none of them will be required,” he said. “Eight have already been required. We’ve cancelled two, and there’s no prospect it seems at this moment in time of any breakthrough.

“There’s no prospect of the company having changed or modified its position on foot of the WRC ballot rejection. We explained to the company the three key reasons why those proposals were rejected.

“Unless the company address those, the prospect of a resolution seems unlikely,” he added.

In a statement, Transdev said the strike notice showed “a continuing blatant disregard” by SIPTU for Luas customers and the travelling public.

"These latest strikes are clearly designed to cause maximum customer disruption," said managing director Gerry Madden.

“Work to rule will more than likely result in service disruptions and, in addition, passengers will have no tram service at all on the dates of the 24 hour stoppages.

“We are deeply disappointed by this situation and once again ask customers and the travelling public to accept our apologies.”

The statement said that Transdev’s position in relation to the dispute “remains clear and consistent”.

“The company is prepared to enter into negotiations to deliver a fair and balanced agreement that is fully in line with current norms in the private and public sector with essential cost offsetting measures.”

It said the demands of Luas staff “go way beyond this” and are “totally unaffordable and cannot be met”.

“Transdev cannot stand still while its already challenging financial position (which has been independently verified) is further eroded,” continued the statement. “Transdev signposted to staff last week that if the action persists then not only will it be unable to deal with a claim for pay progression but it will have to initiate discussions with staff to align our existing cost base with available resources.”

Transdev added that it would be taking legal advice on how to proceed.

“As further strike action and work to rule notice has been served and SIPTU has not engaged or sought to engage in any talks with Transdev, the company will take stock and take legal advice on what courses of action are open to it,” it said.