Luas operator tells drivers to reduce pay claim to secure deal

Luas operator Transdev has said tram drivers will have to substantially moderate their pay claim further if there is to be a deal to avert threatened strikes.

Speaking at the Workplace Relations Commission, Transdev managing director Gerry Madden said when all of the drivers’ demands for improved terms and conditions were included, their claim was “still in the 40 per cent space”.

Drivers have maintained they are seeking pay rises of 27 per cent over five years. They have said they are willing to discuss productivity measures.

Talks between management and the trade union Siptu, which represents Luas workers, resumed on Tuesday morning at the Workplace Relations Commission.

A further strike by Luas staff is scheduled to go ahead on Thursday, St Patrick’s Day while other stoppages are scheduled for the Easter weekend and on four days in April.

The talks on Tuesday include representatives of drivers who argued they had been excluded by management last week on the basis that their pay claim was excessive and did not form the basis for negotiations.

During the talks, Transdev proposed increases of two per cent for Luas staff on acceptance of any new deal in addition to two per cent in Jamuary 2017, January 2018 and January 2019. The management proposal also involved a separate long service increment of two per cent to be paid in July 2018 for those personnel who were at the top of their scale by July 2013.

However, it is understood this proposal was rejected by staff.

Talks between representatives of management and three non-driver grades have been underway since last Friday.

Speaking in advance of Tuesday’s talks Siptu regional organiser Owen Reidy described the invitation to talks as “positive” but warned that the notice to strike on St Patrick’s Day was still in place.

As well as St Patrick’s Day, the drivers have announced strikes on another two days this month and on four days in April. The strikes would close the Luas lines on the days affected.

Speaking on Newstalk’s Breakfast, Mr Reidy said the union was going into the talks today with an open mind. “There is a gap to be bridged, there is a lot to be done, and we hope to progress positively.”

When asked if there was still a chance that the strike on St Patrick’s Day would be called off, he replied “where there’s a will there’s a way. If there’s enough spirit of compromise and consensus it can be done. It’s regrettable that we lost a week. I wish this decision had come sooner, but it is better to look forward than back.

“The fact that we’re talking is a positive thing, without talks it’s not possible, but with talks it is possible,” said Mr Reidy. “We haven’t been asked to call off the action, we’ve been here before - a week ago we were asked to call off action and we did so.”

Mr Reidy said the number of passengers using the Luas had increased by 30 per cent over the past five years but that there had only be a 2 per cent pay increase for staff.

Asked if SIPTU would lower the driver’s claims, he said “we’re going in to bargain, to negotiate, we expect to have proper talks about productivity. We have to see what employer has to say.

“We need to be in the safe space of the WRC with officials, without prejudice, to try to move forward, I don’t want to prejudge the outcome,” he said. “I assure you each of the four grades want to do a deal, they want to make progress, they want to avoid further action if at all possible.”

Three other groups of Transdev employees are to continue their negotiations with the company under the auspices of the WRC on Tuesday morning.

The commission said it had been in contact with the parties over the weekend and was conscious of the statements by the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohue, “in regard to avoiding future disruption to Luas services and providing a continuity of service for the general public”.

A spokeswoman for Mr Donohoe said there would be no further comment “while the Workplace Relations Commission discussions are underway”.