ASLEF members who are drivers at London Tramlink are set to be re-balloted over further potential industrial action. The re-ballot has been done as part of legislation which requires new ballots every six months (or every nine with employers agreement) but with members still unhappy with the offer on the table it is fully expected they will vote for more strikes later this year.
The dispute has all come about over the lack of pay deal agreed with the previous one having expired last year. After negotiations a new offer was made by Tram Operations Limited (TOL):
November 2021: 2%
November 2022: 4.75%
November 2023: 4.75%
The only change from the previous offer is the back-dated 2% increase from November 2021. The original offer had been 0% as it had been argued by TOL that the reduction in hours from this date was year 1. But during negotiations it was argued by ASLEF that this was part of the previous deal and so a new offer was made. However, it is still said to be well below expectations of drivers who have concerns over the current level of inflation.
Previous strikes over this dispute have taken place in June, July and October with major disruption caused to services on Tramlink with just a limited service running from Wimbledon to East Croydon.
The result of the new ballot will be known on 7th December. There will be no further strikes before this is announced but if members still vote for strikes its expected to see services disrupted in the lead up to Christmas and beyond.