Manchester tram drivers to be balloted for strike action in pay dispute

Members of Unite who are employed by Metrolink in Manchester are being asked if they approve of strike action as part of a dispute over pay.

The ballot opens on Thursday 26 August and closes on 10 September.

If drivers vote for strike action, they could be heading to the picket line by the end of the month.

And that could cause severe disruption across the city for residents.

Why is the ballot taking place?

Unite says Manchester’s tram drivers have been offered a backdated pay increase of 0.3% for January to March 2021, followed by 0.7 per cent from April 2021 to April 2022.

The 1% increase for a 15-month period has been labelled “derisory” by Unite, which says it would amount to a hefty real-terms pay cut for workers.

Unite has been in pay talks with Metrolink since February but says the negotiations are now exhausted.

The union says it has been left with no option but to begin balloting for strike action.

How many people are involved and what could the effect of strike action be?

The union represents more than 300 drivers and supervisors at Metrolink.

Industrial action could cripple the tram service, which has stations throughout Greater Manchester. It is possible that strike action would affect the Manchester half marathon as well as several high-profile football matches due to take place this autumn.

What does the union say?

The trade union said the disruption that strike action would cause was regrettable and was being pursued after all other avenues to resolve the pay dispute had failed.

It said the ball was now in Metrolink’s court to come up with a pay deal that would be satisfactory to avert industrial action.

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “Unite has had no option but to ballot its members for strike action after Metrolink refused to make an acceptable pay offer despite six months of talks.

“Our members have gone beyond the call of duty to continue to operate throughout the pandemic and to be offered a derisory pay offer, a deep pay cut in real terms, is deplorable.

“If workers vote for strike action then Greater Manchester will effectively grind to a halt, affecting both commuters and those hoping to attend sport and leisure events.

“Our workers are reluctantly balloting for industrial action as a last resort, but Metrolink could still avoid strike action occurring by returning to negotiations and tabling a realistic pay offer.”

What does Metrolink say?

Rob Cox, director of service delivery for the operator KeolisAmey Metrolink, said: “Our drivers have worked extremely hard throughout the pandemic and provided vital services for key workers during uncertain times.

“Now, our focus must shift to supporting the recovery of Metrolink as we emerge from the pandemic.

“The Metrolink service is funded by the general public and we have a duty to make sure that the cost of operating the network does not become unaffordable.

“Whilst Unite are disappointed with our offer, we believe that it is a fair proposal which gives certainty to our drivers into 2022 and avoids the need to make any significant changes to their terms and conditions.

“We remain available to discuss any reasonable counterproposal that Unite bring to the table.”