Sir , – The travelling public is being held to ransom by a small group of workers who are inspired by the “new” 1960s-style socialism coming from Siptu. At the end of the dispute, the fares will be increased to cover their demands. So let us try a more radical solution. Mothball those trams, cover the Luas trackways with boards and place blue city bikes at all the stations. Who knows, we may never need to reopen the Luas. – Yours, etc,
SEAMAS GRANT,
Ballinteer, Dublin 16.
A chara, – I am baffled and dismayed by the widespread anger among the general public (many of whom do not depend on the Luas for transport) toward the Luas drivers.
Any scrutiny of their salaries, especially when considered in the context of the Central Bank guidelines regarding mortgages, and the cost of rental accommodation in Dublin, would make it clear that these workers are not overpaid if they wish to have a decent standard of living in Ireland today.
To compare their salaries to those of teachers, doctors and gardaí and complain that they do not deserve an increase in pay is to miss the point.
It is not that the Luas drivers are overpaid but that other workers – both in the private and public sectors – are underpaid. The continuing downward pressure on salaries in a world where the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer should be the focus of all our attention. Solidarity rather than begrudgery and in-fighting will provide us with the only hope of a just and fair society for all.
As a teacher who voted against lower salaries for new teachers, I admire the Luas drivers for their integrity and selflessness in losing pay by taking industrial action and bearing the public’s criticism in defending the rights of future colleagues. – Is mise,
GEAROIDÍN O’DWYER,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.