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RollingNews.ie

Luas drivers' strike set to impact on Leaving Cert students

The June strikes will be four hour affairs, rather than day-long stoppages.

LUAS DRIVERS ARE planning six more days of strike action for next month, their trade union Siptu has confirmed.

Four hour stoppages are being planned on 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 June.

It is understood that mandatory notice has been served on operator Transdev.

The action looks set to play havoc on Leaving and Junior Cert students in Dublin who depend on the service for school transportation, with exams kicking off on Wednesday 8 June.

The stoppages will happen on the following times:

  • Thursday 2 June: 3pm – 7pm
  • Friday 3, Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June: 9am – 1pm
  • Thursday 9 and Friday 10 June: 3pm – 7pm

This is on top of further full-day stoppages set to take place on the 13, 20, 26 and 27 of this month.

Luas workers have taken 10 days of strike action so far this year, resulting in €1 million worth of fines for Transdev.

In a statement this afternoon, the operator has described itself as “very concerned” by the most recent development.

It has said that the four-hour strikes in reality will mean a 6.5 hour stoppage, due to the need to decommission and recommission the trams.

Managing director of Transdev Ireland Gerry Madden, said:

Clearly this is very serious and the continued industrial action is putting the company in a challenging financial position and is compromising the security of employment of all our employees.

He went on to reiterate the company’s commitment to a long-term future in Ireland and fulfilling its legal obligations under the operating contract it has with the State.

Transdev is now consulting with its legal advisors and plans to revert to employees in the coming days with what it says will be a “considered response”.

Last month Luas non-driver grades agreed a pay deal for pay increases of up to 13%.

Revenue protection officers, traffic supervisors and revenue protection supervisors all voted in favour of the proposal.

These workers are also set to receive a €750 one-off payment in November.

Additional reporting by Daragh Brophy 

Read: Transdev says it will start docking Luas drivers’ pay during strikes

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155 Comments
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    Mute Gizmo mac
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    May 8th 2014, 8:27 PM

    I thought they were just big boned?

    75
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    Mute Dell
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    May 8th 2014, 9:18 PM

    That’s a great comment.. My mother used to excuse my poor sisters baby fat by saying that to people. that or that she is a strong girl.

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    Mute unknown
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    May 8th 2014, 7:56 PM

    Why did the bear dissolve in water….. because he was a polar bear

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    Mute Cowenwatch
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    May 8th 2014, 9:51 PM

    Bearly makes any sense?

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    Mute Accord Moan Eye
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    May 9th 2014, 11:32 AM

    Someone doesn’t know their chemistry….

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    Mute Stephen
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    May 8th 2014, 9:42 PM

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    Mute Gary Comerford
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    May 8th 2014, 9:19 PM

    There’s a bear that we all know… Yogi

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    Mute Theresa Newman
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    May 9th 2014, 9:11 AM

    So…let’s analyse how polar bears cope with obesity…so humans can learn how to be obese and stay alive?

    I’m all for research and finding out more about these animals, but why can’t humans just stop eating so much fat? We are the first generation of humans that will die younger than our ancestors, because of obesity or fatness-related illnesses.

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    Step away from the buffet. Give peas a chance…

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    Mute mikeobrien4FM
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    May 8th 2014, 11:48 PM

    Wahooo! I’m a polar bear!!!!

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