Luas strikes cancelled as talks resume in row over drivers' pay

Luas strikes threatening to cause havoc for commuters over the coming days have been cancelled.
Two planned four-hour stoppages on the capital’s tram system on Thursday and Friday will no longer go ahead, said Owen Reidy of trade union Siptu.

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The move comes after the Labour Court drew up a proposed resolution to an ongoing row between Siptu and Luas operators Transdev over pay for drivers.
Mr Reidy said the planned strike action this week was being called off to allow workers to consider the proposals.
“The normal practice would be when you have pending stoppages literally days ahead and when you’re issued with proposals like this, that those actions would be cancelled or suspended to allow proper deliberation and consultation, and that same practice will apply here,” he told RTE radio.
However, he warned further planned stoppages for next week may still go ahead.
“If the proposals are accepted the dispute is over,” he said.
“If the proposals are rejected the dispute isn’t over, so I can’t make any promises about anything.”
Siptu is expected to ballot members on the proposals, which the union said include a pay rise of between 15% and 18%.
Three grades of staff in Luas have already accepted a new pay deal after weeks of talks and industrial action.
They will reportedly get wage increases of around 13% up to September 2019, taking their salaries to around 51,000 euro at the top end before a bonus and overtime is paid.
However, drivers and Transdev bosses have yet to resolve their differences.