[Article] Luas drivers threaten to defect from Siptu

Victor

http://www.thepost.ie/web/DocumentView/did-764180976-pageUrl--2FThe-Newspaper-2FSundays-Paper-2FNews.asp

Luas drivers threaten to defect from Siptu
25/07/04 00:00
By Niamh Connolly

Luas drivers are threatening a mass exodus from Siptu as a result of a single union deal with tram operators, Connex, that excludes them from the terms of national partnership agreements.

Tram drivers expressed anger last week that Siptu's pay deal with Connex does not cover national pay deals, including a 5.5 per cent hike over the 18 months of `Sustaining Progress'.

Informed sources told The Sunday Business Post that up to 80 out of 90 tram drivers are threatening to move to Siptu's rival, the National Bus and Railworkers' Union (NBRU), following the revelations.

It is understood that some drivers have already met with the NBRU to discuss the move. The drivers wrote a strongly-worded letter to Siptu's general secretary, Joe O'Flynn, seeking immediate clarification on the national pay deal.

Under a five-year single union contract, all new drivers with Connex must join Siptu, while the terms of the contract include a ``no strike'' clause.

However, tram drivers insist they were not informed of their exclusion from the national pay deal, to which Siptu is a signatory.

Siptu branch secretary, John Flannery, acknowledged a conflict in the employment deal with Connex in relation to the national pay deal.

But he added that the union intended to address this as soon as it had completed balloting on `Sustaining Progress'.

He said the Railway Procurement Agency's (RPA) contract with Connex stipulated that pay reviews should not exceed inflation.

However, the union's position is that it ``expects increases to be in line with national wage agreements''.

Connex's own pay terms include a 3 per cent hike in the first year, 4.75 per cent in the second, rising to 6.25 per cent in the third year and 7.5 per cent in the fourth.

Tram drivers said the increase averages at 1.5 per cent annually as all hikes are calculated from the start-up salary of €29,000.

The terms allow for an optional bonus of up to 5 per cent yearly, which Siptu ``will seek to optimise'', Flannery said.

He insisted that he had made the terms of the pay deal clear to all drivers when they joined Connex.

dmeehan

29 grand for driving a tram, why did i bother going to college?

strangeloop

29 grand is unbelievable money for just sitting and "driving" a tram. How do I apply

fjon

strangeloop wrote:

29 grand is unbelievable money for just sitting and "driving" a tram. How do I apply

It is, but a 1.5% increase a year is not.