SIPTU members working on the LUAS light rail network have voted by 99% to 1% to take industrial action in a dispute related to their conditions of employment in a ballot counted this afternoon (Friday, 8th January) in the Red Cow LUAS Depot in Dublin. SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy, said: “All four grades of SIPTU members working on the LUAS network have voted for industrial action. The members work as drivers, traffic supervisors, revenue protection officers and revenue protection supervisors. “This ballot resulted from a refusal by the management of Transdev, the company which runs the LUAS network, to accept our members’ claim for improved terms and conditions of employment as part of a new collective agreement.” He added: “Since it started operation in 2004 the LUAS network has grown rapidly, with several extensions added and new developments planned. Correspondingly, during this period passenger numbers have also consistently increased. Transdev successfully retained the contract to operate the LUAS network in September 2014. The company has consistently returned annual profits from the operation of LUAS over the period of all preceding contracts. “Our members believe they are underpaid, particularly when compared with comparable workers in Irish Rail. They do not accept that the current contract between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev, concerning the operation of the LUAS network, restricts possible pay increases to the consumer price index, as has been claimed by their employer.” SIPTU members in LUAS will meet next week to discuss the possible timing and form of the industrial action they will conduct.
SIPTU members working on LUAS network vote overwhelmingly for industrial action
