Latest: Luas strikes cancelled as both sides approve new pay deal
The four-month Luas dispute is over after Siptu and Transdev accepted new Labour Court proposals.
The money drivers lost during strike action will be refunded under the deal.
Transdev managing Director Gerry Madden admitted however it will be hard to implement.
“It’s a deal that, if I’m very honest, is going to be very challenging for us as a company,” he said.
“We’re already in a very difficult position financially, so I wouldn’t describe it necessarily as a good deal, but it’s a deal that brings an end to the uncertainty.”
All Luas stoppages planned for next week will be called off.
Luas drivers have voted by 108 votes to 56 votes to accept a Labour Court recommendation on pay in a Siptu ballot this afternoon.
The vote, which took place at the Red Cow Luas Depot, Dublin 22, could see a resolution to their long-running dispute with Transdev, the operator of the light rail network.
Siptu divisional organiser, Owen Reidy, said: "Over recent days all Siptu members employed as Luas drivers were given an opportunity to discuss and debate this Labour Court recommendation.
"They have now made an informed decision to accept its proposals.
"The workers recognise that this recommendation deals with the reduction of the terms and conditions of new entrants to the Luas driver grade by committing the company to a comprehensive review of this issue within the next 18 months.
"The proposal commits this review to take into account related developments in the public sector.
"The recommendation also provides new entrants with a quicker pay acceleration process than had been previously proposed."
"The recommendation contains improved terms in relation to the link between productivity and pay increases that will amount to between 15.6% to 18.3% between now and September 2020.
"It is now up to the management of Transdev to declare its position on these proposals.
"If it rejects this recommendation, the dispute will continue due to the unwillingness of the company to accept a negotiated solution.
"Our members hope the company, which operates an important state contract, respects the recommendation of the Labour Court.
"Over the last few months, the Siptu Luas drivers and their workplace committee have displayed great resilience in pursuing a significant improvement in their conditions of employment.
"They have shown what workers can achieve if they maintain unity.
"We would like to thank the ICTU and the Labour Court for their intervention in this dispute."
