The threat of strikes on Manchester Metrolink has been avoided after a deal was reached on a new pay deal for drivers – and for those drivers there can be no denying it is an excellent deal. This is part of a three year deal which will see derivers with more than three years experience paid £33,000 per annum from January 2019.
The deal is made of three parts:
* 3.7% rise backdated to January 2018
* 10% increase from January 2019
* Retail price index rise from January 2020
This will see drivers who have more than 18 months experience earning £30,000 per year from this point forward with this then increasing to £33,000 from January 2019.
This new deal has been accepted by Unite members and there will no industrial action taking place. It had been rumoured that the August Bank Holiday weekend would be targeted but a normal service will now be in action during this period.
Steve Davies, Unite regional officer, commented: “We are pleased with the very good package that our members have accepted which must be one of the best such deals negotiated in the UK this year. The deal addresses the long-term concerns of our members who were angry at the fact that their previous pay levels were up to £7,000 less than tram drivers in other UK cities for doing the same job. As a result of the vote, our members will be working normally to keep the people of Greater Manchester on the move. Going forward, we wish to have a constructive dialogue with the management of Metrolink Manchester for the benefit of the travelling public and the workforce.”
Aline Frantzen, Managing Director at KeolisAmey Metrolink, added: “I’m delighted our drivers, who are Unite members, accepted the pay deal, agreed following meaningful discussions, which recognises the value of our drivers and is fair to all employees working at KAM. This has been achieved through the tireless work of KAM’s managers and Unite representatives to do the best by everyone and I’m truly grateful for the energy and professionalism that people committed to the process.”