SIPTU has said that a threat by Transdev to dock the pay of Luas drivers is an outrageous and provocative escalation of the dispute.

Luas operator Transdev has warned drivers they face a 10% pay cut if they continue industrial action after Friday morning.

Siptu has warned the operator of the Luas it will “not be found wanting” if the company takes any action against its members over the ongoing pay dispute.

The likelihood of an all-out, indefinite strike by Luas workers has now become a distinct possibility, after operator of the light-rail service, Transdev, put staff on protective notice.

Siptu has said an “implied threat of cutbacks” by Luas operators, if workers continue with a strike action, will not help bring the dispute to a conclusion.

SIPTU president Jack O’Connor has offered to re-engage with management to settle the Luas dispute, but said that inadequacies in the current offer to workers would have to be addressed.

The near 100% rejection by Luas workers of pay hikes of up to 18.7% could cripple services with strikes for weeks if not months, said informed sources.

A potential deal worth up to nearly 19% for some Luas drivers has meant thousands of people heading to the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin today will be able to take a tram to get there.

The company that operates the Luas has shelved plans to draft in private buses to replace trams on St Patrick’s Day following a request from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

As three grades of Luas staff today enter talks at the Workplace Relations Commission on potential pay increases, driver colleagues are preparing for seven days of strikes within the next seven weeks.

Mondelez Ireland has warned that strike action which begins this morning will undermine the future viability of both its Cadbury manufacturing sites and potentially the jobs of 700 employees.

The company which operates the Luas says it is unrealistic of drivers to expect a pay increase of 50%, as a threatened strike looms later this month.

Cork-headquartered energy infrastructure firm, REACT Energy is looking to accelerate its growth by bringing current projects on stream at a quicker rate and making more acquisitions.

Cork-based company, REACT Energy has positioned itself as the market leader and main consolidator in the UK’s thriving small-to-mid- sized energy infrastructure market.

Cork-headquartered alternative energy specialist, Kedco has signed a deal in the North that could see it develop a major 25MW electricity and heat generation plant in Derry.

Cork-based renewable energy group Kedco has announced that they are acquiring Reforce Energy Ltd as part of their plan to become one of the largest independent renewable energy companies in England and Ireland.

Cork-based renewable energy group Kedco is restructuring its finances in a bid to raise more money from investors to unlock the value in future projects.

Renewable energy group Kedco is looking for fresh funding to continue developing its biomass power plants.

KEDCO, the Cork-based alternative energy specialist, has reported a widening in full-year losses to €4.53 million.