The threat of strike action on Manchester Metrolink is over for the foreseeable future after a new two year pay deal was accepted by members of Unite the Union. This brings to an end the pay dispute which had started when KeolisAmey Metrolink offered a 1% pay rise over 15 months, described as “pitiful” by the union.
The new pay deal is worth 3% backdated to January 2021 and a further 3% – or RPI inflation rate, whichever is higher – in January 2022. This was the third offer made by KeolisAmey Metrolink with the middle offer having been 5% over two years (split 2.4% in 2021 and 2.6% in 2022). This middle offer had originally been recommended for approval by Unite the Union but when members were balloted they rejected it leading to the threat of strikes.
The first strike had due to take place on Sunday 10th October but was cancelled a few days before after the fresh offer was made during further negotiations.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said: “Unite’s members at Metrolink have secured a resounding victory in their fight for a decent pay rise. Metrolink’s management have been forced to think again and have revised their original derisory pay offer. This demonstrates that when union members unite and fight for a better deal they can win. It is yet another example of how Unite is entirely dedicated to bettering members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
With the new pay deal accepted all future strike dates – the first of which was due on Friday 15th October – have now been cancelled.