LUAS DRIVERS ARE planning six more days of strike action for next month, their trade union Siptu has confirmed.

Four hour stoppages are being planned on 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10 June.

It is understood that mandatory notice has been served on operator Transdev.

The action looks set to play havoc on Leaving and Junior Cert students in Dublin who depend on the service for school transportation, with exams kicking off on Wednesday 8 June.

The stoppages will happen on the following times:

Thursday 2 June: 3pm – 7pm

Friday 3, Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 June: 9am – 1pm

Thursday 9 and Friday 10 June: 3pm – 7pm

This is on top of further full-day stoppages set to take place on the 13, 20, 26 and 27 of this month.

Luas workers have taken 10 days of strike action so far this year, resulting in €1 million worth of fines for Transdev.

In a statement this afternoon, the operator has described itself as “very concerned” by the most recent development.

It has said that the four-hour strikes in reality will mean a 6.5 hour stoppage, due to the need to decommission and recommission the trams.

Managing director of Transdev Ireland Gerry Madden, said:

Clearly this is very serious and the continued industrial action is putting the company in a challenging financial position and is compromising the security of employment of all our employees.

He went on to reiterate the company’s commitment to a long-term future in Ireland and fulfilling its legal obligations under the operating contract it has with the State.

Transdev is now consulting with its legal advisors and plans to revert to employees in the coming days with what it says will be a “considered response”.

Last month Luas non-driver grades agreed a pay deal for pay increases of up to 13%.

Revenue protection officers, traffic supervisors and revenue protection supervisors all voted in favour of the proposal.

These workers are also set to receive a €750 one-off payment in November.

- Additional reporting by Daragh Brophy