SIPTU 'happy to consider any proposal' to resolve Luas dispute
SIPTU has said that it will consider any proposal from interested stakeholders to try to resolve the Luas pay dispute.
All workers were placed on protective notice by Transdev yesterday in a protracted dispute over pay.
Transdev - which runs the Luas - has warned it can legally terminate staff contracts with just one day's notice.
The union says it is considering balloting Luas workers on an all-out strike.
"They have formulated this pay claim and we are supporting them fully in it," said SIPTU organiser Owen Reidy.
"They have modified their position. A lot of people have called for that, they've done that, and they're prepared to compromise.
"We are quite happy to consider any proposal from any interested stakeholder or third party, if they have some ideas for a set of talks."
Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has urged acting Minister for Transport Paschal Donohue to play a more central role in resolving the Luas dispute
"Transdev have upped the ante and are now using strong arm tactics by placing Luas drivers on protective notice," Deputy Cullinane said.
"It is unacceptable that these measures are being used on a service that so many people rely on and that is subsidised by the State.
“This has created a lot of bad feeling into what is already a difficult dispute and it is not going to solve the problem.
"This has not been helped by the lack of input by acting Minister for Transport Paschal O Donohue in resolving this dispute.
He added: "It is very clear that the Minister is not engaged in any constructive or meaningful way.
"The government have a role to play in breaking this impasse. Acting ministers still have a responsibility to be answerable and pro-active in these matters.
"They can’t sit back and be passengers in this dispute as it drags on. "
