Luas set to stall following rejection of pay offer

Tens of thousands of people face travel disruption over the Easter weekend with Luas services in Dublin set to come to a standstill as a result of strikes.

Further work stoppages are likely in the weeks ahead following an overwhelming vote by drivers and revenue protection personnel at Luas operator, Transdev, to reject proposals aimed at resolving a lengthy dispute.

Future action may involve three or four days of strikes each month. An indefinite stoppage does not seem likely.

Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe last night urged the trade union Siptu to call off the strikes scheduled for Easter Sunday and Monday given the 1916 centenary celebrations.

Proposals rejected

Further intervention by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) or Labour Court seems very unlikely. Luas staff have decisively rejected proposals put forward by both the WRC and the Labour Court in recent months.

Transdev managing director Gerry Madden said the rejection of the settlement proposals had "very serious implications" for the company. He said it would consider the situation over the weekend. He ruled out a replacement bus service.

Transdev said the WRC proposal would have provided for substantial increases in pay and were at the outer limits of what the company could afford. “For example a driver on €42,247 would have seen an increase to €50,000 by January 2019 plus a bonus of €3,250.”

It is understood drivers believe the company could give more. Luas drivers rejected the WRC proposals by 99 per cent.