Planned Christmas tram strikes called off by union

GMB confirmed the planned strikes had been suspended

Tram workers in Nottingham have voted to suspend planned strike action due to take place in the run up to Christmas.

The strike threat came after a senior GMB union representative was suspended from work, with about 300 staff members due to take part in the industrial action next month.

However, the representative has returned to work and GMB confirmed on Friday the strike had been suspended.

Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at Nottingham Trams Limited (NTL) said "a productive meeting" had been held with the union and that a "positive way forward" had been established.

Almost 90% of workers voted in favour of strike action, GMB said, which would have coincided with Nottingham’s busiest Christmas shopping week.

Colin Whyatt, GMB organiser, said: “GMB reps work hard, day in and day out, to make sure Nottingham has a world class tram network.

“We're delighted that company bosses have seen sense and got our representative back where they belong - at work”.

Ms Turner added: “As part of our discussions, we have agreed some key activities and next steps that will improve our working relationship with the GMB, who have notified us that the industrial action will be suspended whilst this work is under way.

"These are promising next steps towards working more constructively and collaboratively, something we look forward to building on over the coming months.”