Pay domino tipped over - Luas offer sought by bus staff

THANKFULLY, the Luas strike threatened for yesterday did not go ahead. Record numbers of foreign visitors were expected in the capital so that kind of disruption would have created a very poor impression and damaged tourism prospects.

There may, however, be disruption ahead. Luas workers are to vote on an 18.7% rise over three years and it is uncertain if that offer will be accepted.

The offer is far less than the 50%-plus originally sought, but it is well ahead of inflation and will more than likely be reflected in higher fares for Dublin’s commuters, many of whom work in the private sector, where such increases are almost unimaginable for all but a tiny, lucky minority.

The offer has sparked the usual one-for-everyone-in-the-audience demand from Dublin Bus staff who want a pay rise on a par with the Luas drivers. Should that be conceded bus and rail workers all around the country will expect the same sort of lift. That would undo years of hard-won reforms and lead to demands for increased subsidies for public transport.

This domino principle seems to apply right across the public sector, or, at least, in areas of the public sector. This seems unsustainable and inappropriate. It discourages the idea of reward for initiative and probably prevents entirely justified pay offers being made.

There must be some way to break this cycle and give rewards where they are due without opening the usual, expensive Pandora’s Box.