Positive news to report from both Dublin and London where proposed strikes have now been cancelled following new offers from management. Both Luas in Dublin and London Tramlink were involved in disputes over pay but recent fresh offers have now seemingly brought to an end strike action which for those in London hasn\u2019t even ever began.<\/p>\n
The dispute in Dublin has been ongoing since February and has seen 12 days of full strike action causing massive disruption to the travelling public. It all centred over the belief of Union members that they should be paid at a similar level to drivers on Irish Rail services which would have led to pay rises of approximately 40%. Unsurprisingly Transdev \u2013 operators of Luas \u2013 were not particularly keen on this level of increase which led to an impasse with neither side seemingly willing to give up any ground. The relationship between management and staff ended up incredibly strained with threats and counter threats of what would happen if the dispute carried on.<\/p>\n
Fortunately recent talks at the Labour Court have led to a resolution which has now been approved by Union members (108 votes to 56). This will see pay increases of between 15.6% and 18.3% up to September 2020 plus a one off payment of 750 euros. Drivers will not receive a full pay rise immediately with the increases spread over the next four years ranging from 3.5% to 4% per year \u2013 which is still a pretty impressive increase in comparison to many across the British Isles in recent years.<\/p>\n
In addition to the pay increases Transdev will not increase shift lengthsand will also restore pay which was docked during the dispute. However drivers will not receive a 6.5% bonus which was lost as a result of the action although this will be restored next year. It has also been agreed that a review will take place in the next 18 months over the issue of new driving recruits receiving a 10% lower salary for their first three years.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile we have received reports that the proposed strike on London Tramlink for Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June has been cancelled following a fresh offer from Tram Operations Limited (TOL). The new offer was made following talks at ACAS and led the executive committee of ASLEF to cancel the planned strike to put the deal to their members. At the time of writing a fresh vote has not been made and no details of the revised offer has made it onto the ASLEF website or indeed any of the usual local news outlets (its odd isn\u2019t it that as soon as a strike is announced everyone is all over the story but if the action is cancelled there seems to be a deathly silence!)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Positive news to report from both Dublin and London where proposed strikes have now been cancelled following new offers from management. Both Luas in Dublin and London Tramlink were involved in disputes over pay but recent fresh offers have now … Continue reading