Union to ballot over Christmas tram strikes in Nottingham
The GMB union says over 200 members will be included
Last updated 31st Oct 2024
There's a warning Christmas shoppers in Nottingham could be affected by tram strikes.
The GMB Union has announced it will begin balloting members in a row over the suspension of a senior trade union rep.
The union claims the decision came in the days after a previous strike, set to coincide with the city's Goose Fair, was called off at the eleventh hour after a pay deal was reached.
Over 200 workers, including drivers and ticketing staff, will take part in the vote.
Balloting will begin on Monday 4 November and last for ten days.
Colin Whyatt, GMB Organiser, said: “We’ve seen a summer of discontent on Nottingham trams after bosses tried to refuse workers fair pay.
“Now just weeks before Nottingham’s Christmas shopping peak, we’re seeing victimisation of trade union reps for doing nothing more than standing up for their members.
“Tram bosses can come up with excuses until they’re blue in the face, but the truth is that they’ve taken action against a hard-working tram driver who stood up for their colleagues.
“Tram strikes is the last thing Nottingham needs this Christmas; tram bosses must urgently do the right thing and let our Rep get back to work”.
Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at Nottingham Trams Limited (NTL) said:
“We received notification from the GMB of their intention to ballot members for strike action, citing ‘continued anti-trade union and union-busting tactics by the company management’. We are extremely saddened and disappointed by this, as we have always remained fully committed to fostering a constructive and positive relationship with the GMB.
“This was evidenced by our recent pay negotiations. While there were some challenging moments, we’re pleased that after a single day of strike, we reached a positive resolution. This was possible through continued negotiations with the GMB’s Regional Organiser, and we’re grateful for the professionalism shown throughout.
“The concerns raised by the GMB do not align with the work we’ve been doing together over the past year, during which there are many examples of our partnership in action. Our regular scheduled meetings with the GMB provide a forum for open dialogue, and to date, there have also been no concerns of anti-trade union practices being raised in these meetings.
“As this is a live case it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the specifics of the allegations raised by the GMB. However, we’re hopeful that we can work together constructively to try and establish a way forward, and avoid industrial action. We remain committed to a continued and cooperative partnership with the GMB, and will be working with them in the hopes of reaching a resolution over the coming weeks.”