Metrolink to face severe disruption as drivers vote to strike over pay offer

Greater Manchester is facing severe traffic disruption beginning later this month after Metrolink tram drivers voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a dispute over pay.

More than 300 drivers and supervisors, who are members of Unite recorded a 97% yes vote in favour of industrial action after being told of a 'pitiful' one per cent pay award, which they argue is a real terms cut when inflation is considered.

The first strike days will be Saturday 25 September and Sunday 26 September.

These coincide with the match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on the Saturday, and the Great Manchester Run the following day when all competitors and spectators have been advised to use public transport due to extensive road closures in the centre of Manchester.

The tram drivers will also take strike action on Sunday 10 October, the day of the Manchester marathon when the advice again is to use public transport.

A further strikes have been called for Sunday 24 October when Manchester United and Liverpool are due to play.

'No other option but to take strike action'

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “One minute tram drivers are being hailed as heroes and the next they are facing a real terms pay cut.

“Unite will not allow our members to have their pay and living standards eroded by private companies who are seeking to profit by operating a public service.”

Unite could announce further strike action on weekdays before, between and after the dates already announced depending on the response of management.

The strike action is a result of a ‘pitiful’ offer that the workforce received following months of negotiations. The workers were offered a 0.3 per cent backdated pay increase for the period from January to March 2021 followed by a 0.7 per cent increase from April 2021 to April 2022.

Unite members claim the one per cent pay increase for a 15 month period would in reality be a large pay cut in real terms as the RPI inflation rate currently stands at 3.8 per cent.

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts said: “Metrolink tram workers, who continued to work throughout the pandemic, are simply not going to accept a frankly pitiful one per cent pay deal.

“Unite has been seeking to resolve this matter for six months without success and our members now believe that as a last resort they have no other option but to take strike action.

“Strike action and the inevitable disruption that will bring can still be averted if management returns to the negotiating table with a realistic pay offer."

We've contacted Transport for Greater Manchester for a response.