Strike expected to create toll bridge queues tomorrow

Motorists in Dublin face major disruption tomorrow at Dublin’s East and West Link toll bridges as staff strike for a day over pay and conditions.

SIPTU said the 100 staff it represents had served strike notice on National Toll Roads (NTR) - the company operating the bridges - due to what it called low pay and unsocial hours.

Staff from other departments within NTR will man booths at the toll bridges if tomorrow's strike goes ahead.

NTR's chief executive Mr Jim Barry told ireland.comthat he was still hopeful that the action would be called off.

"I am incredulous as to what is going on in the union on this but I hope it will come to its senses," he said.

The union said staff work up to 12 hours a shift in cramped, stressful conditions for a basic rate starting at £5.87 per hour. SIPTU said this rate rises to £6.36 over a 10-year incremental scale.

The Labour Court rejected an appeal on April 6th by SIPTU in relation to pay and conditions saying the claims fell outside the PPF's scope.

But the court concluded: "There may be merit in the union's claim for increased pay and leave," SIPTU said.

National Toll Roads said today it has putan offer tothe 100 staff of a reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours from 41 hours and an increase in basic pay of 14 per cent over and above the PPF.

It said in a statement: "The company committed to enter into a quick, binding and independent benchmarking process which would compare NTR’s terms of employment with any other equivalent employer in Dublin."

The SIPTU official representing the workers Ms Ethel Buckley claimed that they have contributed to the company's profitability "by embracing technological change, adopting new work practices and coping with massive increases in traffic volume."

"We have indicated to management that we are available at short notice to continue discussions in an effort to resolve this issue," said Ms Buckley.

NTR says it will try to minimise disruption caused to motorists but it cannot guarantee commuters will not face long queues tomorrow morning.