Strike action by hundreds of Metrolink drivers in Greater Manchester is set to resume following the rejection of proposals put forward by transport authorities, a union said today.
Approximately 320 drivers are expected to join the strike, which centres around disputes over work schedules and rest breaks that union leaders argue are leading to dangerous levels of fatigue. Two strike dates have been scheduled, one on New Year's Eve and another on the last Friday before Christmas, typically one of the busiest days in the city centre and beyond.
Previously planned industrial action was deferred at the beginning of December for negotiations, but Unite union announced on Monday that its driver members had 'overwhelmingly voted to reject the company's proposals for tackling driver fatigue'.
The union has now declared three days of strike action.
Metrolink said it had developed a plan in conjunction with the union that 'addressed all the asks'. Managers said they wanted to prevent strikes and resume discussions with Unite, requesting 'real clarity from the union on what their members want', reports .
All the drivers involved are employed by KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited, which oversees Greater Manchester's Metrolink operation on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The strike dates are December 19, 20 and 31.
In a statement, Unite said Metrolink drivers in Greater Manchester face 'the worst driving conditions across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ compared to other light rail networks'. The union highlighted that shift patterns require them to complete 450 hours over a 12-week period.
Unite stated this leads to some drivers working 50 hours consecutively, followed by merely two days off before commencing another 50-hour work cycle. Many others, the statement noted, are required to work for six consecutive days.
"They also have fewer rest days compared to colleagues in other operational departments such as engineering and customer support," Unite said.
"Drivers say they are experiencing physical and mental health issues including exhaustion, cold and flu-like symptoms and stress due to the way their rotas are structured and the lack of proper breaks. They are also concerned that fatigue is putting themselves and passengers at risk as it affects concentration."
Unite's driver members had been consulted via ballot on new proposals announced by Metrolink to restructure rotas and incorporate additional rest days. However, the union said that some 60 new drivers would need to be recruited 'in order to implement these changes meaningfully'.
Metrolink, according to Unite, suggests the process could require up to two years, though the union maintains 'this can be done more quickly with proper investment in training and short-term service frequency adjustments'. The drivers planning industrial action are stationed at the Warwick Road South depot in Trafford and the Queens Road depot in north Manchester.
They run trams across all routes throughout Greater Manchester.
Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, said: "The vote to reject their employer's offer and press ahead with industrial action shows how concerned and angry drivers are about chronic levels of fatigue. The fatigue problem needs to be fixed now. Our members and the general public, who are currently being put at risk, cannot wait for change to be implemented months or years down the line and they continue to have Unite's full backing during this dispute."
The industrial action coincides with Manchester City's Premier League fixture against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium, alongside city centre performances by Doves and Jools Holland.
Colin Hayden, Unite's regional officer, said: "Fatigue is a very serious issue for our drivers and one they feel very strongly about when it comes to protecting their own as well as their passengers' safety. Drivers have said it's not a case of if an accident will occur, but when. Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester's plans are promising them jam tomorrow - but the fatigue problem needs to be tackled now as a matter of urgency.
"Metrolink must commit immediately to recruiting more drivers to ensure rota changes can be implemented quickly. This is the only way to prevent strike action."
Two of the proposed strike dates, 19 and 20 December, clash with separate industrial action by 200 Unite members employed by Transport for Greater Manchester on the Bee Network bus service.
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: "Over the last couple of weeks, we've worked hard with the tram operator and Unite to understand and respond to the roster concerns among drivers. We jointly put together a plan – which the union recommended its members approve - that addressed all of Unite's asks, with firm commitments to improve working patterns and to hire more drivers. The outcome of the ballot is therefore surprising and disappointing.
"Our focus now will be on working with KAM and Unite to try to avert strikes and we're committed to working constructively on the next steps. But we need to get back around the table with real clarity from the union on what their members want."
