Luas employees and their employer Transdev have agreed to attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission later this week in a bid to avert two two-day strikes next month.
The breakthrough came this evening after the WRC invited the two sides to talks on Friday.
Earlier, Transdev Chief Executive Nigel Stevens met SIPTU representatives to discuss their threat of industrial action in pursuit of pay increases of up to 53% by LUAS employees, including drivers.
In a statement after the meeting, Transdev urged SIPTU to return to negotiations at the WRC in a bid to avert the stoppages, which would disrupt travel plans for 60,000 passengers a day.
CEO Nigel Stevens described the present pay and conditions of Luas employees as "generous".
He said the dispute remained difficult to resolve because of the magnitude of SIPTU's claims.
He said the dispute could only be resolved under the auspices of the WRC, adding that the company remained available to enter discussions at any time.
