Tram drivers in strike ballot over working hours

Unite claims shift patterns are rising driver fatigue

More than 300 tram drivers are to be balloted for strike action that could bring major disruption to Manchester over the festive period.

Some 320 Unite members are eligible to vote in the ballot, which ends on 11 November, in a dispute over working conditions.

Those affected work for KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots and operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it wanted to meet with Unite and KAM to "resolve the issue without causing disruption for passengers."

Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: "Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously.

"It is dangerous for fatigued workers to be driving trams and they should not be put in this situation. We are demanding that Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester work with Unite to find a solution to this problem to avoid industrial action."

'Dangers of fatigue'

Unite has claimed shift patterns mean drivers have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period which results in some drivers working 50 hours, followed by two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.

The union said it was concerned drivers, who had fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, did not have proper breaks and risked operating heavy vehicles while exhausted.

Unite added it has been told there was no funding available to support any meaningful improvements to working patterns and said drivers had also been asked to start work earlier, "adding to increased dangers of fatigue".

It said strikes could begin late November, causing widespread tram cancellations and delays during the busy festive shopping period.

Services would also be disrupted to and from Manchester's Christmas markets, which attract large numbers of visitors annually.

TFGM said transport bosses plan to meet with the union to discuss concerns

"We're aware that Unite is balloting drivers employed by the tram operator, KeolisAmey Metrolink, over industrial action," said Danny Vaughan, TfGM's chief network officer.

He said: "We are meeting with both KAM and Unite this week to understand the issue and any concerns in more detail.

"We are keen to work with both parties to resolve the issue without causing disruption for passengers."

KeolisAmey Metrolink said that while its rosters "already align with safety standards" it wanted to make "ongoing sustainable improvements" for its drivers.

"Driver welfare and managing fatigue are key priorities for us," said Damien Chabas, managing director.

"Our focus has been on meaningful consultation and finding balanced solutions that are viable for the long term sustainability of Metrolink and that support the delivery of a safe and reliable service for passengers."