LUAS DRIVERS WILL strike on Easter Sunday and Monday, when hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend on Dublin for 1916 commemorations.
Drivers, who are seeking pay increases of between 8% and 53%, have taken four days action already this year and will go on strike again next Tuesday and on St Patrick’s Day.
Transdev, the company which operates the Luas, says that Siptu’s sanctioning of the stoppage shows “a total disrespect to all those who wish to mark the 1916 commemorations”.
Gerry Madden, Managing Director of Transdev, said that the drivers’ pay claims were “unrealistic”.
“SIPTU are not just threatening the company with their unrealistic pay claims but are now prepared to jeopardise the Irish economy and Irish jobs.
“The state has made great plans for the centenary of 1916 and transport is a vital part of those plans”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Small Firms Association AJ Noonan said, “Luas drivers have again escalated this industrial dispute with no regard for the people of Dublin.
The commemorative events scheduled to take place over the Easter weekend should be accessible to all. They represent a fantastic opportunity for businesses in the city centre. The festival spirit must not be dampened by Luas drivers seeking outrageous pay increases.
“No resolution of the dispute is possible unless drivers bring their expectations in line with what is happening in the economy. On behalf of the thousands of small businesses whose employees and customers will be affected by the dispute, I call on SIPTU workers to call off the strikes.”
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