Tram drivers’ strike called off - but 200 bus workers set to walk out

The planned Metrolink drivers’ strike for the weekend and New Year’s Eve has been called off, but 200 bus workers in Greater Manchester are still set to walk out. 

The union, Unite, has accepted a new deal bosses say will see the tram drivers’ employer, KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM), ‘fix long-standing problems with fatigue and scheduling issues’.

Strike action on Friday and Saturday (December 19 and 20) by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bus workers in roles including ticketing and passenger assistance will go ahead 

Rotas meant Metrolink drivers were working up to six days in a row ‘without proper rest breaks’, leading to safety concerns with drivers ‘concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted’, Unite said.

Workers have now accepted new proposals by KAM that will see rota changes; including a reduction in driving time without a break from five-and-a-half to five hours; the removal of six-day working; and the introduction of an additional two rest days. 

All drivers will also benefit from having their duty length reduced from nine-and-a-half to nine hours.

The changes will be fully implemented by January 2027 and Unite said the improved rotas will bring the drivers into line with more workers elsewhere in the country.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent win for our members at Metrolink, who stood together in their concerns over fatigue until their employer listened and came up with meaningful changes.

“Their action has also led to vastly improved pay for many workers.

"This result shows the power of a union and workers at Metrolink should be very proud of their achievement.”

Although the dispute was not around pay, drivers’ starting salaries will rise from £26,420 to £33,026 from January 1 in a bid to attract new staff.

Salaries have also increased for drivers with longer service, aimed at addressing staff retention issues.

Those with two years’ service will get £34,500, also effective from January 1 – up from £31,863.

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “We are very pleased that Metrolink finally listened to drivers’ legitimate concerns around fatigue and came back with a plan that will go a long way to finally solving the issue and keep workers and passengers safe.

“This, plus improvements to pay, is the culmination of a lot of hard work from Unite and our reps who showed incredible solidarity throughout this dispute.

"This result proves again that Unite is a union winning for workers in the passenger transport sector.”

Danny Vaughan, chief network officer at  TfGM, said: “We’ve worked very hard with the tram operator and Unite to understand and respond to the roster concerns among drivers and are pleased that the offer put forward has been accepted. 

“That means there will be no strikes, and trams will run as normal, helping people get where they need to on the last weekend before Christmas.” 

Damien Chabas, managing director at KAM, said: “After months of constructive engagement with Unite and TfGM, our proposal to improve drivers’ conditions has been accepted. 

“We will now focus on delivering these changes and continuing to work with employees and Unite to strengthen our position as an employer of choice in Greater Manchester. 

“With this agreement in place, tram services will run as normal during the busy year-end period.

"I would like to remind all passengers to travel responsibly during the festive season and treat all our colleagues with respect.”

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