Edinburgh Trams services could be disrupted in the lead up to Christmas after the results of the consultative ballot into potential industrial action were released by the Unite union. As we reported a few weeks ago this ballot was undertaken as a result of what has been described as the unjust use of disciplinary procedures by management and although it gives the union it doesn’t give the legal right to strike with a further ballot required for this. The results of this consultative ballot saw 83% of drivers in favour of striking.
However, before any further ballot takes place – with the potential for strikes after that – there will be talks between the two sides on 8th November. If the union don’t like what they hear at these talks they have confirmed that they will continue with a full ballot where they fully expect their members to back a strike which is likely to take place in the lead up to Christmas and also during the key Christmas/New Year period potentially impacting on Hogmanay plans.