West Midlands Metro workers to vote on strike action
Union members at West Midlands Metro are warning that commuters could face severe disruption this autumn as workers are set to be balloted on whether to take industrial action amid a dispute over pay.
Tram workers have been embroiled in pay disputes with West Midlands Metro for months as they have fought for a higher wage.
More than 170 workers at West Midlands Metro will begin to be balloted by Unite on Friday, September 2, with the ballot closing on Friday, September 23.
If the workers vote for strike action then stoppages are likely to begin in October, the union says.
Staff include drivers, customer service representatives, engineers and infrastructure workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members play a vital role in keeping Birmingham and the Black Country moving.
"Workers were already struggling on poverty pay rates and now they simply can’t make ends meet as a result of the cost of living crisis.
“Unite is entirely committed to improving the jobs, pay and conditions of its members, and workers at the West Midlands Metro will receive the union’s full support until this dispute is resolved.”
The workers are seeking a minimum pay rate of £27,000 for tram drivers and customer representatives and a £5,000 increase for all other grades that can start at £21,537. The tram drivers and customer representatives are currently paid £21,939, which Unite says is one of the lowest rates in the UK for this kind of role.
The union says that despite extensive negotiations, the employer has refused to make an offer which meets the workers' expectations.
Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “If industrial action occurs it will undoubtedly cause considerable disruption but this dispute is entirely of the employers’ own making. It has had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer but has refused to do so.”
Ray Harris, service delivery director at West Midlands Metro, said: “We are disappointed that Unite is to ballot its members on industrial action after rejecting a fair pay offer that includes an increase of more than 15 per cent for tram crew who have completed a full year’s service. The proposals would also bring salaries into line with those working on similar sized tram systems in other UK cities.”
“This offer was initially accepted by Unite, which recommended its approval ahead of an earlier membership ballot, and remains on the table.
“Clearly any industrial action will have an impact on our customers and the network’s post-pandemic recovery. We continue to talk with our employees with the aim of reaching an amicable agreement that will avoid any disruption to customers.”
