By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Hundreds of Nottingham tram staff will begin voting on plans to strike over what their union says has been a “real terms pay cut”.
GMB Union represents staff working on the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) network and members started balloting for strike action on Tuesday, August 15.
The union says the vote comes after Nottingham’s tram operator, Keolis, offered a real terms pay cut to staff.
Around 300 drivers, mechanics, control room and ticket office staff will be taking part in the ballot.
A result is expected late August, GMB says.
If members vote in favour of strike action, tram services will be disrupted during the Goose Fair, which will take place over 10 days between September 29 and October 8.
Colin Whyatt, GMB Organiser, said: “Striking is always a last resort, but our members have been backed into a corner by low pay.
“Tram workers are facing the harshest cost of living crisis in a generation, with many of them unable to afford to live and shop in the city they work in.
“Tram bosses have been keen to plead poverty in recent weeks, but hard working and loyal staff cannot be expected to foot the bill.
“Transport chaos in one of Nottingham’s busiest weeks is something tram bosses must act to avoid.
“Our union is always open to negotiating a solution and our door is always open.
“We’d urge tram top brass to urgently step back from the brink and bring an offer to the table that reflects the contribution our members make to Nottingham.”
It is not the first time staff have voted to strike.
Staff voted to strike back in November last year over the Christmas period over the treatment of two terminally-ill workers.
At the time 94 per cent of members voted to strike.
The Nottingham Express Transit (NET) network is operated and maintained by a partnership of companies including Keolis and its subsidiary Nottingham Trams Limited.
This group of companies, or consortium, is known as Tramlink.
According to tram bosses, the proposed settlement is a pay increase of nine per cent for the lowest-paid employees and 6.75 per cent for all other members.
This represents an overall increase in salaries of 20 per cent since the Covid pandemic, they say.
Chris Wright, Managing Director of Nottingham Trams Limited, said: “We are disappointed at the course of action taken by the GMB, as our pay offer for 2023/24 has been broadly welcomed by many colleagues across the organisation.
“This sensible offer takes into account the current economic climate as the network continues its post-pandemic recovery, while recognising the hard work and commitment of colleagues.
“It comes with no preconditions or changes to working practices and would also be backdated to June of this year.
“We genuinely hope that GMB members will reject the union’s call for any action that would cause unnecessary disruption for customers, and accept a realistic offer that is very much in line with pay increases in other key public services.”
