Result of Metrolink strike ballot set to be announced
If members vote in favour staff could walk out as early as next month
The result of a strike ballot involving Greater Manchester's tram workers is set to be announced on Thursday.
Unite has been asking more than 600 of its members whether they support industrial action, describing the latest pay offer as "woeful".
If workers vote in favour strikes could begin as early as next month, with the weekend of Manchester's Parklife festival in June a potential target.
Unite says Metrolink made a pay offer of a five per cent increase for a 15-month period, and claims the company tried to move the annual pay anniversary date from 1 January to 1 April.
The union says the offer is below inflation and a real-terms pay cut.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Metrolink are guilty of making a woeful offer to our members. This is a company operated by two incredibly wealthy multinationals who can fully afford to make a fair pay offer but have chosen not to.
“Unite is entirely focussed on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at Metrolink will receive the union’s complete support.”
Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “Metrolink has been given every chance to make a fair offer but has stubbornly refused to do so. As a result our members are now balloting for strike action.”