The planned strikes which were set to take place later this month by staff on Edinburgh Trams have been suspended after agreement was reached between the company and Unite the union. The strikes had been called after the union alleged that Edinburgh Trams management had reneged on the agreement reached in the summer specifically in regards to sick pay.
A spokesperson from Edinburgh Trams said: “We welcome the union’s decision to suspend its planned industrial action while it ballots members on the proposals. We hope that colleagues will now follow Unite’s recommendation to accept our latest offer, enabling us to maintain a world-class service to customers as we countdown to the launch of the Trams to Newhaven project in the Spring.”
The original dispute from the summer had been over pay and as part of the agreement reached then Edinburgh Trams had promised to review sick pay arrangements with the suggestion that six months full pay and six months half pay could be offered instead of the previous six weeks full pay. Things came to a head again a few weeks ago when Edinburgh Trams said that this was not possible as it would cost too much which led the union to announce planned strikes (the original ballot for industrial action was still valid).
The new offer increases full pay from six to 15 weeks and also cuts the reduction in waiting days from seven to three days for a claim to be made. The union will be recommending to their members that the offer is accepted.
A new ballot will now take place with a result due in the next few weeks. In the meantime the planned strikes are suspended.