The Transport Minister isn't happy that Luas drivers are threatening to strike on St. Patrick's Day.
They walked off the job last Thursday and Friday, and will strike again this Thursday and Friday.
Drivers are looking for pay-rises of up to 53%, but the company that runs the trams says it can't afford it. Transdev says it has made an offer, but since that offer two more strike days have been announced.
Drivers are now expected to also walk off the job on March 8th and on St. Patrick's Day. March 17th would be the sixth day of action in the long-running row over pay.
The Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe, believes the action on St. Patrick's Day is deliberately damaging: "It's being timed to deliver maximum disruption not only to commuters but to Dublin. Everybody is now losing as a result of this, Dublin is losing and potentially the St. Patrick's Festival is losing out as well".
Transdev says "Normal Service will resume at 6.30 am on Saturday 20th 2016", and it's reminding customers "who intend using the Luas service on these days should make alternative travel arrangements."
CEO of the St Patrick's Festival, Susan Kirby, is reassuring people that events will go ahead as scheduled: "Obviously the Luas strike can have an impact, but the festival will go ahead as planned from the 17th of March... Anyone concerned about transport can check out the NTA's website, but I want to reassure people the festival will go ahead as planned".
Due to strike action, services will not be running 18th & 19th Feb. More info: https://t.co/CRoM2D8xfS
— Luas (@Luas) February 17, 2016
Transdev says those with pre-paid weekly, monthly and yearly tickets can apply for a refund for the days affected by strike action.
