Edinburgh facing tram strikes

Drivers are being balloted on industrial action

Author: Paul ReillyPublished 23rd Jul 2024
Last updated 23rd Jul 2024

Staff with Edinburgh Trams are being balloted on industrial action - with a union claiming they're working long hours without comfort breaks.

Unite will ask 160 of its members if they're willing to stage action.

In a consultative ballot previously, over 160 tram workers indicated by 99 per cent that they are prepared to take industrial action on an 84 per cent turnout.

The official ballot opens this coming Monday and closes on the 12th of August.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s Edinburgh tram workers are facing an unacceptable health and safety situation due to the pressures of having to get the travelling public to Edinburgh airport.

"We will back our tram membership all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Trams commented: “We are surprised the union is taking this course of action as it has been closely involved in our talks with the Trams to Newhaven project team on the efficiency of traffic signals that sometimes cause delays.

“However, we remain committed to ongoing discussions between all parties, with the aim of addressing their concerns while improving services for customers.”

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