Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
A LUAS STRIKE will go ahead on Easter Sunday and Monday, trade union Siptu has confirmed.
It follows the rejection by workers of Workplace Relations Commission proposals aimed at resolving the long-running dispute at the Dublin tram service.
“Luas drivers and revenue protection grades at Transdev have overwhelmingly rejected proposals on pay and productivity brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission,” a statement from Siptu said this evening.
The drivers’ ballot rejected the proposals by almost 100%. The other grades voted by 100% to reject the WRC proposals.
The two days of strike action have been timed to cause maximum impact, with some half a million people expected in the city for the 1916 centenary commemorations this weekend.
Further days of strike action are planned for April, on the following dates:
A planned strike on St Patrick’s Day was called off at the last minute following marathon talks between Transdev, which runs the service, and trade union negotiators at the WRC.
The deal that emerged from that meeting, which included pay increases of up to 18%, was put to a ballot of workers.
In a statement, Transdev said its management were shocked and disappointed at the rejection of the agreement.
“We entered the talks in good faith and while the WRC proposal is challenging for the company we were 100% committed to supporting it.”
Managing Director Gerry Madden said the company would not be offering any “knee jerk response” to the rejection of deal.
“The Workplace Relations Commission Proposal was at the very outer limits of what we could afford and for this to be rejected is deeply disappointing. In accordance with the terms of the WRC document that proposal is now withdrawn.”
He added:
We will not be issuing any knee jerk response —this decision has serious implications for the company and our staff and we will reflect over the weekend and issue a considered response.Transdev’s statement ends with a call on the union “to answer why they think it’s acceptable to strike over the Easter Weekend”. The company adds that it wishes to express its “deep regret and disappointment to Luas customers and the travelling public”.
Communications breakdown
Siptu organiser Owen Reidy said it seemed clear “there is a complete breakdown in the relationship and trust between the driver grade and management at the company”.
He said the union had compiled some feedback from members in the driver grade as to why they have rejected the proposals, including the following:
Drivers did not want to accept a new pay scale that leaves new entrants on lower pay than current staff
Drivers are of the view that the productivity sought in the proposal was disproportionate and vague in the case of the Luas extension
Drivers also expressed concern that they did not trust how management would implement such productivity measures
Reidy added:
We accept the democratic decision of our members. We have always stated that notified industrial action will proceed unless an agreement is reached and that remains the case.
The union remains available for discussions, he said.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
@Rafa Condron: what’s the alternative all we have is clowns jokers spoofers and liars so if your saying you want a general election then liars are the next lot all promise but much the same as the rest really.
Alternative is to use don’t lose your vote. Personally won’t put ff or fg candidates on ballot at all. If you even put them 8th on the sheet the vote is counted.
Keep voting them out. And vote others in. Be the change.
These plopheads are rolling in cash while the rest of the country is in poverty. Rich get rich and we keep voting for them???
@Rafa Condron: An inconvenient truth is that the rest of the country is absolutely not in poverty. There are lots and lots of people perfectly happy with the status quo.
@Rafa Condron: one simple cure, if you live in a 5 seat constitutancy only mark 5 places, if you live in a 3 seater mark 3 candidates and that’s one way of having a bit of control over who you want in, but lots of people need to do it for it to work.
@: and the current lot hav proven to be liars and cheats. Leo’s recent video clips and MM’s ‘ there wasNO bank bail out’. And you call others liars and cheats. Typically FFG disconnect with reality.
Anyone but FFG, G & L. Thats about it. These turds have had their snouts in the trough destroying the country for too long. Literally nobody could be worse
@Sheila McNulty: yeahs let stick with the rinse and repeat of past 100 years which has left in In midst of several crisis. And you tell others to give heads a wobble. More FFG disconnect from reality on the ground.
@Rafa Condron: Any chance of a lend of your crystal ball? I think you might be suffering with dizziness from being on that roundabout for too long. Maybe be brave and bold and try out the swings instead.
Further, no such thing in this country, as a founding political party, that doesn’t have blood all over it’s hands FF/G/Labour all sat in office and turned a blind eye to the abuse of women and children in this country – incarceration, enslavement, and institutionalisation of women and children.
Rape and murder of women and children. Kidnapping, selling and trafficking of babies and children to the highest bidder. I can continue but I’m sure you’ve gotten the point.
Nominated himself… the arrogance is shocking. Never have I come across such a self entitled man in all my life. He actually believes he deserves to be, and it’s his god given right to be Taoiseach. He won’t make a blind bit of difference we have had years of this. The pair of them are just 2 cheeks of the same a**e. Change is needed for ALL in Ireland not just the selected few.
@Joanne Stokes: U really don’t know much about politics welli your in for a big shock if you think SF People before profit are the answer u are deluded
@Sheila McNulty: did I mention SF or PBP no I just said they won’t make any difference. We have had 100 yrs of the same crap from them they have no intention of changing either. Also Sheila its called my own opinion. I’ll say it as I see it and as I live it! Thanks and you have a lovely Christmas when it comes.
@Joanne Stokes: And those who keep voting for more of the same and accept more of the same, are what exactly?? It’s definitely not intelligent. That’s a bit like making shepherds pie for dinner everyday and expecting it to taste like a roast dinner, or salmon en croute – never gonna happen. Monkeys even know that if they keep doing the same thing over and over again, the result will be the same every time.
@Joanne Stokes: Why? Irish Constitution backs coalition government and change of Taoiseach. If you really want change, amend constitution for direct election of Taoiseach and establishment of executive and legislative branch (Dail and Senead). Current set up is a joke designed to keep elected officials in power.
Martin did a good job…
He handled COVID as well as could be expected and put peoples live over profits.
Housing was a constant issue. There is simply not enough houses and more importantly not enough builders. Martin didn’t create that and no party had any better ideas that what he done.
Saying that, the finances are better shape than he got it and Ireland is still one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
It is a pity that Northern Ireland can’t keep up with us… Now that must be mismanagement of a country
@Cowboy Ted: FFG fully and knowing created the housing crisis. Their free market neo liberalism deliberately cut supply in order to turn homes into financial commodities so that they could be gouged for more and more profit. Your post is an insult to the intelligence of the people of this island.
Are they in the Dail on a Saturday? Today of all days would of been the most effective for the people of Ireland to of marched on that building and made the general consensus of Ireland be heard. That being, this roundabout is not working. The only way to get change is to force it. Sure SF arent a better alternative in the eyes of many, but it would absolutely give a right boot up the backside and FFG if the GE came and they got in, only then will they realise they arent actually all that invincible. Maybe its time we play the government instead of them playing us.
@Christine Hanway: The Irish aren’t ones for standing up for themselves and demanding change or even accountability from the country’s leaders. Far happier to stay at home and comment on how bad things are and bloody awful the politicians are from the comfort of their own armchairs. If the general population stood up and demanded better from the politicians then they would have better politicians. Instead it’s very much a case of “Ah sure look, the other one is as bad so what’s the point in doing anything?”
@James Kerins: as much as I tend to agree with that, I genuinely feel a general consensus is coming about that people are finally seeing the wrongdoing, the problem with that is, its had to get this bad. This government are breaking records, but for all the wrong reasons and I personally think its starting to light a spark. I can only hope but even coming to the likes of here, other social media, other news outlets that I would of found stonch FFG arent so much anymore. The tides are turning, their support is completely dwindling. I can only see that as a good thing and they know it. Their days are numbered.
@Christine Hanway: there are plenty of problems as in any country we have full employment & a lot going for us take a look across the water,( Yes Housing where there was full stoppage of building for 2 years )Health also big problems Brexit & War thousands coming here as we have to share the burden all these things are having effect on schools etc but don’t think we had much choice & the opposation would have had the very same problems but its great on the sidlines shouting when u have not the responsibility
What a joke, this man clearly has no morales or he would have resigned a long time ago. Leaking cabinet documents which are confidential to outside parties and then having the bass neck to say he did nothing wrong, at least in England the minister would have resigned straight away, how can you trust him
@Aunties: no because you would be shot down immediately and it would be twisted as being homophobic when it’s obvious that the majority of people in Ireland are inclusive and open as the way it should be. Varadkar was hungover today I bet my bottom dollar on it. I could tell by his eyes
Bad day for the country…. Untouchables – not one of them have the country’s interests as a priority. Overflowing hospitals, shortage of teachers, mass homelessness, Overflowing traffic with huge taxes to the middle earners and all the while masses of refugees coming into the country and everyone afraid to speak up because we wi be accused of racism. Country is in freefall. Only thing keeping us going is the taxes from multi national companies and huge VAT from fuel. Varadkar harping on about peace in North of Ireland and then Martin stands up and has the cheek to slander Mary lou. Do your jobs and shut up ye shower of muppets
@Sal Paradise: What a truly mindless comment. A change of taoiseach is a major national event. It would be derelict of any news organization to ignore the story. Clickbait, my arse.
@Tacita O’Copa: Thanks for the feedback. My comment was focused on the way the original headline (which has subsequently changed) was worded. It was very much, in my opinion (we are allowed to have opinions?), deliberately worded to annoy certain commentators.
Have we not spent long enough living in hope – it’s action that’s required & it’s long overdue!! All of our privileged leaders should have taken notes from all the documentaries made about the leaders from just 100 years ago … they were brave leaders with foresight & courage to make hard decisions & stand over them … & they weren’t living privileged lives in comparison to their electorate- they lived among them & many of them sacrificed everything for the good of our country! The politicians of today wouldn’t sacrifice their (expensed) breakfast to feed a hungry child ..
Well what can I say? When you have a country that is run by farmers and school teachers, who continually con the populace! I really give up… BTW Ireland is still the most corrupt country in the top 10 corrupt countries in the world… And no other are European. Just sayin’
@#1 Fifthwheel: there are over 20 countries within Europe (both EU and non EU) that are ranked as more corrupt than Ireland. Thats according to Transparency International. A few surprising ones too. Worth a look.
will be very interesting at the next election to see if FFG disengage from copulating and actually have the neck to tell the electorate that they are two different parties with different policies, Or will they have the balls to face voters by standing on their record of the last two government terms in bed together?
Of course, even their best over-paid political advisors can neither predict nor guarantee them the second, third and fourth preference votes required by them to get even a sniff of a chance to return for a third term of joint parties of equals/con-artists.
few of the electorate have forgotten what happened in 2020 and I suspect few will cast a vote beyond their second preference next time out.
Think what you like of him, but I think Simon Coveney should have been left in foreign affairs. Always comes across as level-headed, and that’s what we need dealing with those numbskulls across the water.
What country is Leo from? It can’t be Ireland, a nation of begrudgers and doom and gloom news articles and reports which are based of what if scenarios that never materialise.
'The place is not functioning properly': Committees not back to work 3 months after election
Jane Matthews
2 hrs ago
1.5k
17
Press Freedom
White House to 'decide’ which news outlets cover Trump, in a break with a century of tradition
3 hrs ago
7.1k
88
Rosslare
Man arrested after woman dies following 'serious incident' aboard ferry at Rosslare
Updated
4 hrs ago
89.7k
Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work.
We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).
We and our 152 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. If trackers are disabled, some content and ads you see may not be as relevant to you. You can resurface this menu to change your choices or withdraw consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link on the bottom of the webpage .Your choices will have effect within our Website. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent. You cannot object to tracking technologies placed to ensure security, prevent fraud, fix errors, or deliver and present advertising and content, and precise geolocation data and active scanning of device characteristics for identification may be used to support this purpose. This exception does not apply to targeted advertising. These choices will be signaled to our vendors participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 104 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 136 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 106 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 78 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 77 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 37 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 33 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 127 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 60 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 75 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 82 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 38 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 43 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 25 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 86 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 96 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 68 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 50 partners can use this feature
Always Active
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 84 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 64 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say