The next round of strikes planned on Dublin’s Luas system have been suspended with further talks between operator Transdev and the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical union (Siptu) now set to take place to try and bring an end to this length industrial dispute.
As we have reported several times the dispute stems from the union’s demands for major pay rises to try and bring their workers more into line with similar workers on the Irish railways. However Transdev have always said that the demands – reported in various places as being up to a 53% rise – were unsustainable and did offer an incremental 18.7% rise to drivers (spread until January 2019) which was turned down by union members as being inadequate.
Eight days of strike action were due to take place up until the end of May with the first of these due on 23/24 April but following this latest development this initial action will not now happen. However whether this will actually be the end of this disruptive action remains to be seen as it has been reported that members of Siptu have not softened their stance and still remain committed to receiving the pay they feel they deserve which considering where Transdev stand doesn’t seem to suggest a deal is anywhere close. In an interesting statement the President of Siptu has suggested the deal previously reached was the best that could have been agreed but he respected his members decision to reject it. But if that was the best deal just where are these talks going to lead?
It is also being reported that Siptu have written to the Minister of Transport, Paschal Donohoe wanting a meeting.