Staff at Edinburgh Trams could be set to strike just ahead of the Festival Fringe this summer, sparking potential 'chaos' amongst tourists and locals in the city.
Much like the recent Network Rail strikes, which were the biggest in the UK in four decades, staff at Edinburgh Trams are also bargaining for a higher pay offer than what is currently on the table. Members of the Unite union are being balloted for potential action after rejecting the latest pay offer.
The offer, although improved, was declared as "derisory" by union officials and according to reports online, it would have includes a one-off payment plus a four per cent increase in 2023, that's according to British Trams Online.
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A further offer of five per cent in 2021 and four per cent in 2023 was also rejected by the union, with the decision being made to ballot their members from June 29. A result is therefore expected after July 20, with the threat of strike action taking places from August 4.
In a statement Lyn Turner, Regional Officer for Unite, said: “We are looking for a substantial pay increase for our members in response to the cost of living crisis. Many of them are struggling to put fuel in their cars to get to work and others are using food banks. It’s immoral, when bosses are getting big bonuses. Edinburgh Trams is a municipal transport company and they need to do the right thing by their workers. Their offer was derisory and below inflation.
“With a one hundred per cent turnout 97 per cent rejected the offer. Then another offer was made verbally but when we got it in writing it was less. I fully expect our members to vote for strike action. So far the attitude has been negative.
"We are willing to meet bosses at an independent venue to thrash this out with ACAS. But we’ve had no response on that. Edinburgh Trams have been nominated for Public Transport Operator of the Year award. I’d ask them to forget the awards table and get round the table to negotiate a pay that our workers deserve.”
In response to the news of the ballot, Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, commented: “We are disappointed to learn that the union is to ballot its members on industrial action just days after agreeing to meet with us for further discussions on the latest improved pay offer.
"Our proposed settlement includes a five per cent increase this year and a further rise of four per cent in 2023. This takes into account the union’s preference for an agreement that would see any increases calculated as a percentage of overall salary, rather than one which includes stand-alone payments or enhanced terms and conditions.
“These proposals follow above inflation pay rises over the last six years, including during pandemic. During this period we have done everything we can to support our employees, maintaining job security and avoiding redundancies.
“As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, our focus must be on delivering a sustainable service and we are saddened that the union is taking this course of action when presented with a fair pay offer that recognises the challenges faced by employees whilst ensuring the financial stability of the company, therefore protecting jobs in the long term. Clearly we remain open to further talks, subject to reasonable proposals from the union, aimed at working towards an agreement that avoids any unnecessary industrial action and the resulting impact on services for our customers.”
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