IT IS UNDERSTOOD that there has been a breakthrough in the Luas dispute.

Productive talks were held earlier in the week between revenue protection officers, revenue supervisors and traffic supervisors and Luas operator Transdev.

These non-driver grades will now vote over the weekend on whether or not to accept a new proposal put to them by the company.

The company issued a statement following the talks with non-driver grades saying that they had been “positive”.

Trade union Siptu said that following “detailed, 48-hour discussions” with Transdev, shop stewards representing traffic and revenue protection supervisors and revenue protection officers at the company have agreed to ballot their members on new proposals.

SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy said:

The proposals emerged following direct engagement with the company where union representatives raised all the issues that have to date impeded a successful resolution of the dispute. The shop stewards will bring these new proposals to the members and permit them to decide on their merits in a democratic ballot following meetings with these grades over the coming days.

He added that a meeting between driver representatives and Transdev management is scheduled for early next week. “it is hoped that this engagement will produce proposals which can be brought back to members who drive the Luas trams for their consideration,” he said.

Transdev has said it is making no comment at this time.

Read: Transdev says it has had “positive” talks with Luas workers – but not drivers