News Writer Jack Chatterton reports on the announced West Midlands Metro staff strike due to take place over pay disputes
West Midlands Metro staff have voted decisively in favour of industrial action for a period of 53 days between October and January.
Unite represents more than 176 workers across the tram network. They demand that the minimum driver salary, which is £21,939, be increased to £27,000. They say that currently this salary is one of the lowest in the UK for such a position. They’re also asking for a £5,000 increase for all other grades.
Newly elected Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham described the current level of pay as ‘poverty wages’ and promised them the ‘union’s unswerving support’. They demand that the minimum driver salary, which is £21,939, be increased to £27,000
West Midlands Metro claims Unite have declined to continue negotiations and maintain that a ‘comprehensive’ and ‘fair pay offer’ remains on the table. This includes a £3,300 annual pay rise for crew with a full year’s service. They claim that this will bring salaries in line with other similar-sized tram systems across other UK cities.
The company’s previous offer of a pay rise to £25,250 and of 5.25% to all other grades had been described as ‘inadequate’ and rejected by the union.
Unite Regional Officer Sulinder Singh argues that whilst strike action will ‘inevitably cause severe disruption and delays for metro passengers across Birmingham and the Black Country’, it is ‘entirely of the company’s own making’.
The strikes come amidst a growing cost of living crisis across the country and follows an already difficult year for the company which has seen its services suspended on multiple occasions as a result of cracks discovered across its tram network.
Industrial action begins on October 15th and is expected to continue until January. The full list of strike dates can be found below:
October: 15, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31
November: 1-5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15-20, 22, 24, 26, 28-30
December: 1-4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, 21-30
January: 1, 2, 5
Want to read more from Redbrick News? Check out other recent news reports here:
Dad’s Cosy Coat Project Proves to be a Massive Success
Protesters Respond to Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham
Cost of Living Crisis May Deter Students from Studying at University
Comments