Tram strike action threat after driver suspended

GMB said a tram driver, who is a senior union representative, had been suspended

Workers on Nottingham's tram network may go on strike after a union said a driver was suspended.

Trade union GMB said it was "furious" and would begin a ballot among more than 200 staff on Monday.

Nottingham Trams Limited (NTL) said it was "extremely saddened and disappointed" by the development and was "hopeful" industrial action could be avoided.

The dispute comes weeks after strike action was narrowly averted the day before Nottingham's annual Goose Fair.

The suspended employee has not been named by GMB, who described them as "a senior union rep", while NTL said it would not comment on the union's claims "as this is a live case".

Colin Whyatt, GMB organiser, said the row follows "a summer of discontent" on the trams, adding strike action "is the last thing Nottingham needs this Christmas".

"We're seeing victimisation of trade union reps for doing nothing more than standing up for their member," he said.

"Trams bosses can fabricate excuses until they're blue in the face, but the truth is that they've taken action against a hard-working tram driver who stood up for their colleagues."

Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at NTL, confirmed it had received GMB's notification of its intention to ballot for strike action.

Citing the "positive resolution" of recent pay negotiations, she said concerns raised by the union "do not align with the work we've been doing together over the past year".

"We are extremely saddened and disappointed by [the ballot notification], as we have always remained fully committed to fostering a constructive and positive relationship with the GMB," she said.

"We remain committed to a continued and co-operative partnership with the GMB, and will be working with them in the hopes of reaching a resolution over the coming weeks."