Striking Luas drivers, who held their 10th one-day strike yesterday, have been paid for some of the days when Dublin's light rail system was shut down, official company figures reveal.
None of the company’s 170 drivers have lost all pay for all of the strike days because of shift patterns – though, equally, some have lost more than others in the long-running action.*
Twenty-five of the drivers have so far lost eight days’ pay, while 40 have lost seven days’ pay. Sixty-five have lost six days’ pay; 21 have lost five days; 12 have lost four and four have lost three days. Three have so far lost nothing.
The vagaries of the shift patterns make it easier for the workers to increase the pressure, amid reports that they will carry out eight days of striking next month.
Siptu shop steward Richard McCarthy warned that the June strikes, if they go ahead, will vary in duration, but some could involve stoppages lasting up to 48 hours.
Commuters in Dublin, who faced significantly longer journeys to work yesterday, face four more strikes on May 13th, 20th, 26th and 27th.
Docked pay
Luas operator Transdev has confirmed that drivers involved in strike action are docked pay only in cases where they were actually rostered to work on the particular day.
Transdev has argued that the 23 per cent pay claim sought by drivers is unaffordable. Three non-driver grades of staff have reached agreement with the company, receiving 13 per cent over three years.
Signs of commuters’ mounting anger were visible yesterday on a day which saw large numbers walking, or cycling on the Luas routes.
Sally Lyons, from Goatstown, said: “I don’t have sympathy for the drivers. They are fairly well paid in comparison to other similar jobs around Europe and everywhere else.”
Suffering
One commuter, Mark Grealish, from Windy Arbour, said: “You’ve two parties, neither of which will give any ground and we’re the ones suffering. I understand the drivers’ position and what they want but they are asking for a bit too much.”
Michael O’Donovan, who runs Mima Coffee at the Beechwood stop in Ranelagh, said it has become common on strike days to see hundreds of people walking along the track. “It’s in contrast to the road which is mad this morning, there’s beeping and aggression going on . . . and then there’s this superhighway of calm and peacefulness going through the middle of it all.
“ When the trams are not going there’s a much more peaceful atmosphere,” Mr O’Donovan went on.
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe once again appealed for an end to the dispute. However, no talks are scheduled, illustrating how wide the gap between the two sides is becoming.
*This article was amended on May 5th 2016 to correct an error
