Luas Strike Dates Announced

[Jamie2k9]

What is the earliest date an all out strike could start?

If it comes to it probably from first/second week in July at the earliest. 3 weeks notice required, 1 or 2 weeks for the ballot and probably another week or two before a final decision is taken.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Thomas J Stamp

You do wonder, again, where TD are getting the money for the fines (about a million) and to fund the operating losses from, since they say they have only the fee they were paid by the Gov to run the service as their only source of income.

Transdev get nothing from the government - all day-to-day costs and some renewals (but not capital or TII / NTA costs) are funded from fares.

[Jamie2k9]

Security on the Luas next to vote for strike action, % increase was offered but it's below that of those with Irish Rail.

SIPTU have an agreement with TD that such strike action won't be presumed but SIPTU say they will support workers if action is taken.

Not clear if Luas can operate without them.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news...-34737629.html

[Mark Gleeson]

Luas does not have a safety requirement to have security present. Rare to see them anyway and useless when something happens.

Security are contracted from a outside firm STT. The rate of pay is set by STT not Transdev. Transdev could quite legitimately hire in security from Brinks as STT will be in breach of contract is a strike occurs.

So questionable if they can picket the Luas depots as they are not the employer

[Jamie2k9]

Looks like SIPTU wont break the STT agreement just yet.

[Jamie2k9]

Both off to Labour Court tomorrow and action for tomorrow and Friday cancelled.

[Thomas J Stamp]

only place left to go.

[Jamie2k9]

LAB Court says:
1 - Pay rises up 15.6 to Sep 2020 (add 2.5% for long serving drivers)
2 - TD should not increase duty from 9 to 9.5 hours
3 - New entrant pay should be reviewed within 18 months of acceptance
4 - Non cost issues to go WRC or LAB Court if no agreement
5 - Joint review of Pay/Conditions of tram drivers accross Europe
6 - No 2016 bonus but 750 payment if accepted
7 - 10% cut, sick pay etc restord incl arrears if accepted

TD not going to make comment until end of week.

SIPTU to begin consolation with members through general meetings followed by ballot. Does that suggest they are going over shop stewards heads as they sort of indicated a while ago they would discuss with drivers and committee separately. The pay is over 4 years the other grads is for 3 years and the deal could be considered slightly worse on pay terms than the WRC one but productivity might clinch it.

18.7% (2016-2019) v 18.3% (2016-2020 + some lost pay, less productivity). Still just under 5% off the muted 23% drivers wanted.

Looks like this weeks action also called off or will be.

[Jamie2k9]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0531/792...-labour-court/

SIPTU will not be issuing a recommendation to accept or reject the Labour Court recommendation.

Sources said the Luas drivers' committee are of different opinions as to whether it should be accepted or rejected.

They said that on that basis, there would be no "wholesale message of endorsement or rejection" from the driver representatives.

The decision to ballot was taken at a meeting between SIPTU officials and driver shop stewards at Liberty Hall today.

It is understood there will be a number of general meetings of drivers tomorrow to cover the various shifts.

The ballot is expected to take place on Thursday and Friday.

If the Labour Court recommendation is accepted by Friday, drivers stand to receive a €750 lead-in payment.

If rejected it could well be the start of internal tensions among the more less "united" drivers up until now.

Believe it is also the first time that reps are not bringing it back to depots but calling them all in to meeting with SIPTU instead.

[Jamie2k9]

And it's over, accepted by 66%

[Mark Gleeson]

In the words of Brian Friel, "its all over, and its all about to begin"

Counting down till the NBRU roll in, 5, 4, 3,.....