City tram strikes end after eleventh-hour pay deal

The industrial action was set to last for the duration of Nottingham's Goose Fair

Tram strikes expected to cause disruption to Nottingham's historic Goose Fair have been called off after a last-minute pay deal.

Hundreds of workers began industrial action at 00:01 BST on Friday after the GMB Union rejected an earlier offer from operator Nottingham Express Transit (NET).

But the firm and union confirmed on Friday night that an agreement had been reached, with workers to receive an 8.5% pay uplift over the next two years.

Tram services resumed as normal from 06:00 on Saturday.

The firm had criticised the union for "targeting" the Goose Fair, which attracts thousands of people to the Forest Recreation Ground each year.

'Jewel in the crown'

Colin Whyatt, GMB organiser, said: "We may have ruffled a few feathers in this dispute, but tram workers do vital work keeping families, businesses and communities moving.

"It's right that their pay lets them pay the bills and take care of their families.

"Our light rail is Nottingham's jewel in the crown and we're delighted that this year those enjoying the Goose Fair can do so by tram."

Industrial action was set to last for 10 days, the whole duration of the historic event, before union members voted to accept the updated offer on Friday.

Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at NET, said its goal had always been to find a resolution.

"We have done this through collectively developing a productivity plan with GMB union representatives which will utilise business efficiencies, to help drive the additional percentage of funding required to make our renewed payment offer affordable to the business, while still offering an above-inflation pay increase," she added.