EXCLUSIVE: Metrolink drivers are considering staging strike action in August over Manchester Pride weekend
More than 340 members of the Unite Union are being balloted from tomorrow over plans to walkout for all three days of the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Last updated 19th Jul 2018
Hits Radio can exclusively reveal Metrolink drivers are considering staging strike action in August over Manchester Pride weekend.
More than 340 members of the Unite Union are being balloted from tomorrow (Friday 20th July) over plans to walkout for all three days of the Bank Holiday.
It's in a row over pay.
Some members are also raising concerns about recent incidents of anti-social behaviour on the network.
Steve Davies is the union's regional officer - he's been exclusively speaking to our reporter Amy Scarisbrick:
Steve Davies adds "We've had a consultative ballot which over 90% voted to take strike action.
"We do acknowledge that it's Manchester Pride and it's not our intention to upset the general public. However, we've got to look at leverage and that's the strongest and best leverage we can use. We don't want to go down this line and hopefully it won't come to that.
"We're in talks next week as we have been in previous weeks with Acas to come to some sort of resolution. At the moment, it's not looking very good.
"What we're asking for is they acknowledge the fact there are particular differences in Manchester, the size of it, the actual aggravation that people have to put up with at night - pay the drivers what they're actually worth.
"It's the last resort that we have to take but sometimes we have to do it to get the Metrolink bosses to listen."
Chris Jackson, Service Delivery Director at KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), who operate and maintain Metrolink for TfGM, said: “We have made a fair offer of a 3.3 per cent pay increase and better pay for unsociable hours worked,* an offer that has been accepted by all other KAM employees.
“Our priority now is to continue with meaningful discussion in a genuine attempt to find a resolution. Our pay offer remains available for Unite’s driver representatives to accept on behalf of its members.”
*KAM has offered to increase the unsociable hours payment from £1 per hour to 10 per cent on top of their pay for hours worked between 10pm and 6am.
TFGM's Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said:
“TfGM has been informed that KAM and Unite have unfortunately failed to reach an agreement following their discussions and we understand members are being balloted over strike action.
“Whilst this is disappointing, talks are continuing and we’d encourage Unite and KAM to continue these discussions with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution.”
“I must stress the outcome of the ballot is not known, so any talk of potential dates is extremely premature.