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Edinburgh Trams staff could strike before Festival Fringe due to ongoing pay dispute

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date29 June 2022
AuthorKris Gourlay
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
Much like the recent Network Rail strikes, which were the biggest in the UK in four decades, staff at Edinburgh Trams are also bargaining for a higher pay offer than what is currently on the table. Members of the Unite union are being balloted for potential action after rejecting the latest pay offer

The offer, although improved, was declared as "derisory" by union officials and according to reports online, it would have includes a one-off payment plus a four per cent increase in 2023, that's according to British Trams Online.

A further offer of five per cent in 2021 and four per cent in 2023 was also rejected by the union, with the decision being made to ballot their members from June 29. A result is therefore expected after July 20, with the threat of strike action taking places from August 4.

In a statement Lyn Turner, Regional Officer for Unite, said: "We are looking for a substantial pay increase for our members in response to the cost of living crisis. Many of them are struggling to put fuel in their cars to get to work and others are using food banks. It's immoral, when bosses are getting big bonuses. Edinburgh Trams is a municipal transport company and they need to do the right thing by their workers. Their offer was derisory and below inflation.

"With a one hundred per cent turnout 97 per cent rejected the offer. Then another offer was made verbally but when we got it in writing it was less. I fully expect our members to vote for strike action. So far the attitude has been negative.

"We are willing to meet bosses at an independent venue to thrash this out with ACAS. But we've had no response on that. Edinburgh Trams have been nominated for Public Transport Operator of the Year award. I'd ask them to forget the awards table and get round the table to negotiate a pay that our workers deserve."

In response to the news of the ballot, Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, commented: "We are disappointed to learn that the union is to ballot its members on industrial action just days...

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