The Luas strike has been a contentious topic specifically for the past month.
The support for the strike quickly relinquished when the real figures of what was being proposed came to light.
Opposition to the strike quickly grew as rumours of a whopping 18% pay rise was being demanded by the unions.
To add insult to injury, it seems both the union and Luas drivers couldn’t care less about who they disrupt or cause inconvenience to.
It’s not just a pittance we’re talking about either. Already on a massive starting wage of €36,000 a year, the drivers want a gargantuan 18% increase. All this after 6 weeks training, and only needing a driving licence to apply in the first place.
Let’s compare that to a junior doctor who has studied for 7 years, works up to 100 hours a week and starts off around €30,000 per annum.
Where is the justification? The drivers sit all day, push a lever to go, pull it back to stop and don’t even have to take people’s fares.
Give me a break!
This journalist has had enough of the Luas drivers demands. To think that we are supposedly commemorating the 1916 rising this weekend, and thousands upon thousands of us have to make alternative transport thanks to nothing other than selfish, unnecessary greed.
The last thing I will say is actually a question:
Out of all (circa) 400,000 on the dole tonight, how many would take a Luas job for €26,000 tonight never mind €36,000? My bet, a hell of a lot!