Tram Staff Balloted for Strike Action

The GMB have issued NET tram operating staff, ballot papers to vote for strike action, the results of this are expected 10th July 2009.

Pay talks between the GMB and the Nottingham Tram Consortium - NTC (the company which operates the tram network on behalf of Arrow who own NET) commenced in April 2009, with the GMB requesting a 5% pay rise. NTC refused this demand due to concerns over their future operating income for 2009/10 which was likely to fall and thus, proposed a pay freeze, this was overwhelmingly rejected by the GMB following a ballot.

As a result of this ballot, the GMB requested that NTC reconsider their position, however NTC stated that they were unable to make any new offer until they had confirmation of their future income, which is directly linked to the May RPI figure, released on Tuesday 16th June.

NTC receive an income from Arrow to operate and deliver the tram network , this income is reviewed annually and is linked to the May RPI figure which was negative – 1.1%, meaning that for the first time in the trams operating history its annual income will fall, despite rising operating costs including electricity, over which NTC has no control.

During a meeting at the end of May, the GMB stated that unless NTC made a new offer immediately, they would ballot for strike action. NTC reiterated their position that it was impossible to make any further offers until the future revenue income had been confirmed, and requested a meeting mid June to resume these talks.

NTC were notified that a meeting to progress these negotiations could not take place until the full time official returned from annual leave, and an agreement to meet again on 10th July was reached this week. However, prior to agreeing this meeting date the GMB issued a ballot to Tram staff for industrial action.
General Manager of NTC, Helen Goulding stated “I am extremely disappointed that the GMB are balloting for strike action before the negotiation process has finished. We have a Recognition Agreement in place which states, that in the event of a dispute no action will be taken until all the steps to avoid industrial action have been exhausted, we therefore feel this action is somewhat premature.”

She continued “NTC is committed to reaching a fair settlement and wishes to work with the GMB, arriving at an acceptable solution for both our staff and the needs of the company, we hope that the threat of industrial action will not overtake future pay talks”.

NTC remain committed to providing a reliable tram service for its passengers and hope, that these negotiations can be concluded amicably without any strike action and thus no inconvenience to passengers.