A UNION has confirmed that more than 100 Edinburgh Tram workers are to be balloted on strike action.
Unite the union confirmed the ballot would open on July 29 and close on August 12 amid concerns over late running times to Edinburgh Airport, which it says is preventing workers from taking comfort breaks.
Over 160 tram workers indicated by 99% that they are prepared to take industrial action on an 84% turnout.
Unite claims there is a shortfall of between five and six minutes in the running time from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven with each round trip taking on average two hours to complete.
The maximum driving time before a scheduled break is five hours, and many tram workers go this length of time without hydration or toilet breaks, the union said, with drivers having to then make up the time.
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 new tram timetable has added four minutes to each run, and delays to a new signalling system have led to increased delays.
It has been further reported to Unite that some trams regularly run up to 30 minutes late with controllers having to turn trams around mid-route, which the union says removes the ability for workers to go to the toilet.
Lyn Turner, Unite industrial officer, added: “Edinburgh’s tram workers are emphatically saying give us our breaks.
“The sustained pressure being put on our members to complete the airport to Newhaven round trip is resulting in an alarming rise in incidents at work including stress and infections.
“The situation has arisen due to delays in the new signalling system and changes in the new timetable which were not properly tested before going into passenger service.
"Action needs to happen quickly or strike action will be inevitable.”
