Strikes by around 320 tram drivers working for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited in Manchester starting this weekend are back on, after workers overwhelmingly voted to reject the company’s proposals for tackling driver fatigue – and are set to hit major Christmas and New Year celebrations. Original strikes were set to take place from 4th-7th December, but were postponed after the employer put forward a new offer – but ballots showed the drivers would not accept this.
Why are tram drivers going on strike?
According to Unite, drivers at Metrolink Manchester have the worst driving conditions across the UK compared to other light rail networks – their shift patterns mean they work 450 hours over a 12-week period.
This results in some drivers working 50 hours on, followed by two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern, while many others work for six days in a row. They also have fewer rest days compared to colleagues in other operational departments such as engineering and customer support.
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.
The Unite members had been balloted on new plans by Metrolink to change rotas and add in additional rest days, however around 60 new drivers would need to be recruited in order to implement these changes meaningfully.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham 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.”
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.”
Which events & areas will the tram strikes affect?
Drivers involved in the dispute at Metrolink work at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in the city and operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester, meaning the strikes will be very disruptive.
They will walk out on 19, 20 and 31 December. This will impact journeys during the last Friday before Christmas – historically a very busy night for hospitality in the city and the busiest shopping day of the year (20 December), as well as travel to and from New Year’s Eve events including the St Peter’s Square fireworks which attract around 20,000 spectators a year.
Other events that will be affected by this action include Manchester City v West Ham at the Etihad Stadium, and Doves and Jools Holland concerts. Two of the strike dates, 19 and 20 December, also coincide with industrial action by 200 Unite members working for Transport for Greater Manchester on the Bee bus network.