Edinburgh Trams services will not be affected by strikes after the proposed action was called off following the agreement of a new pay deal. Reported to be between 6.5% and 11% members of the Unite union accepted the deal by an overwhelming majority with 95% of members agreeing to the offer.
The threat of strikes had been looming since earlier this year with the union rejecting two previous proposals. The first of these was for a one off payment now and 4% next year with the second offer being 5% in 2021 and a further 4% in 2023. Both were rejected because of the current rate of inflation and anger by the union that the Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, Lea Harrison, was not only earning £150,000 per year but was also rewarded with a £16,000 bonus.
But now the new one year offer – which is backdated to 1st April and is described by the union has “reasonable” – has been accepted and will see staff offered between 6.5% and 11% equivalent based on the current staff pay grade. It is also proposed that company sick pay will be reviewed with the possibility of increasing this to six months full pay and for long-term illness and six months half pay.
Lyn Turner, regional officer for Unite, said: “This is a reasonable result for our members. We set out for a cost of living pay increase and this deal will go some way to addressing increased financial pressures. We are pleased to see Edinburgh Trams commit to a revised sick pay scheme. This will be a significant increase on current terms. Under this deal there’s also a commitment to reduce working hours from a 40 hour week to a 35 hour week for operational staff, once the Newhaven tram line is up and running. Getting this agreement took months plus a ballot for industrial action. But it’s a positive outcome for this year. We look forward to working with the company going forward.”
Lea Harrison added: “I am pleased that the most recent talks have resulted in an agreement that is acceptable to all parties, and that our employees feel that they have arrived at a fair outcome. Following the successful conclusion of these negotiations, the Edinburgh Trams team is fully focused on working together to further improve our award-winning tram network as we prepare for the launch of services to Newhaven next year.”