A revised offer made by Nottingham Trams Limited with the aim of preventing strike action from affecting services during the Goose Fair has been rejected with the GMB Union urging for a further improved offer to be made.
Since the original ballot of tram workers in Nottingham there have been ongoing negotiations which ended with the tram operator offering a further 1% on top of the original offer. The original offer was given as being between 6.75% and 9% so that would make the latest offer would have been between 7.75% and 10% – again lower paid members of staff would have been given a higher increase.
Colin Whyatt, GMB Organiser, commented: “We’re urging tram bosses to step back from the brink and do everything in their power to save this year’s Goose Fair from travel chaos. Tram workers are facing the harshest cost of living crisis in a generation, with many of them unable to afford to live and shop in the city they work in. Time is rapidly running out, but our union is always open to negotiating a solution when tram bosses are ready to see sense.”
Chris Wright, Managing Director of Nottingham Trams Limited, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the union has rejected a new and improved pay offer that includes an increase of over 10 per cent for our lowest-paid staff and eight percent for all other members of the team.
“These proposals represent an overall pay increase across the business of more than 21 per cent since the Covid-19 pandemic. Following two weeks of intensive negotiations with the GMB to find a fair and sensible resolution to this dispute, our focus must now be on preparing for possible industrial action by the union and providing clarity for customers as we approach one of the busiest times of the year. However, we remain committed to trying to reach an agreement that would prevent unnecessary disruption for customers, and talks with the union will continue.”
They don’t have to strike during Goose Fair.