Dessie Ellis TD, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Transport has called on Luas operator Veolia to work with its employees to roster its driving staff with safe shift times. He made his comments in light of an expected ballot of Luas workers for industrial action this week.

The deputy continued;

“Luas Drivers are expected to vote on Industrial Action this week having rejected a Labour Court Recommendation. These drivers are asking for parity with other staff in jobs where safety is paramount and the alertness of workers is essential. Workers in similar fields recently received 23 extra rest days and maximum 8 hour shifts.

“Luas drivers currently work 9 hour shifts in what is a very stressful working environment with a need for caution and alertness.

“Veolia, who operate the Luas light rail claim they cannot afford to meet the 160+ drivers’ demands and have offered half the rest days (10) but will not reduce the shift times.

“This is not really good enough or even believable. Veolia have made a very large profit off the Luas operation and they cannot now say that safety is not worth this investment in their workers’ conditions.

“The nearly 80,000 people who use the Luas every day, spending around 45 million euros a year, deserve to be safe.”

ENDS