Luas drivers are to push forward with their pay claim despite the threat of a 10% cut to their wages, according to SIPTU shop stewart Richard McCarthy.
He was speaking after a meeting of Luas drivers who discussed a threat by Luas operator Transdev to cut the driver’s pay by 10% from tomorrow morning.
Mr McCarthy said it is the drivers' intention to encourage Transdev back to the negotiating table.
He said if that does not happen, they will escalate their industrial action by increasing the frequency and pattern of work stoppages.
SIPTU organiser Owen Reidy said there is outrage and anger about this escalation by the company.
He said the resolve of drivers is stronger than ever, and they will not accept an attempt to humiliate them.
However, Mr Reidy added that they will not play into Transdev’s hands with any emotional kneejerk reactions, and all they want is a fair negotiated outcome.
Drivers staged another one-day strike in their dispute over pay.
An estimated 90,000 people have been affected by today's strike, which is part of a dispute over pay and working conditions by drivers.
Today's strike was the ninth day of action taken by Luas drivers since the pay dispute began.
They are seeking a pay rise currently pitched at 23%.
This has been refused by employer Transdev and its latest offer is 13%, which was accepted by 70 other staff in three separate grades earlier this week.
Gerry Madden, Transdev's General Manager, said: "They have in the last day or two indicated, at least off the record, that they might be looking at somewhere in the 23% space.
"That's still way in excess of what we could afford to pay, there's no evidence to support that type of claim."
The company has threatened to impose pay cuts of 10% from 4am tomorrow if drivers continued their industrial action.
SIPTU, the union representing the drivers, has described the threat as provocative and outrageous.
No members from other grades passed the picket lines this morning. It is understood they have taken annual leave and so will still be paid for today, unlike drivers who lose a day of pay while on strike.
A further five strike days are scheduled for May. The next is scheduled for next Wednesday, 4 May..
