Metrolink strikes suspended after improved pay offer

The planned strikes on Manchester Metrolink – the first of which would have taken place this coming weekend, 25th and 26th September – have been suspended after what has been described as a much improved pay offer following talks between KeolisAmey Metrolink and Unite the Union. The revised offer will now be voted on by union members with the strike action suspended until this result is known.

As reported previously a 1% pay offer over 15 months was on the table – 0.03% backdated to January-March 2021 and 0.7% for the period April 2021-April 2022 – and this had been overwhelmingly rejected by members of Unite with union officials describing it as pitiful.

Four strike dates were announced – 25th/26th September, 10th and 24th October – with Metrolink services expected to be severely disrupted on these dates although exact details of what service would have been able to operate on these days.

But after extension negotiations on Monday 20th September between Unite and senior management at KeolisAmey Metrolink a revised – and said to be vastly improved – pay offer was made which the union are now recommending their members accept in a new ballot.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “By taking a stand our members have forced management to return to negotiations and table a greatly improved pay offer. This demonstrates when Unite is wholly dedicated to advancing jobs, pay and conditions we can get a better deal for our members.”

Guillaume Chanussot, Managing Director at KeolisAmey Metrolink, commented: “I am pleased that we have been able to reach agreement with Unite on an improved offer for our Driver workforce which enables them to suspend their planned industrial action on 25th and 26th September. Unite will now recommend this offer to their members and we await the outcome of their consultation exercise.”

Danny Vaughan, TfGM Head of Metrolink, said: “Following constructive discussions between Unite and the Metrolink operator, this weekend’s proposed industrial action has been called off – which is great news for all our customers. A revised pay offer will now be put to members and a further update will be issued once that has been done. We’ll now be able to concentrate on providing a normal service to support the various major events taking place this weekend and all those who rely on Metrolink to get around. If travelling with us, please still plan ahead and allow extra time because we expect it to be much busier than usual.”

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