‘Wake-up call’

Unite called on Stagecoach bosses running Sheffield’s Supertram to table a revised pay offer to avoid industrial action after drivers and conductors overwhelmingly backed strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unite is set to meet with Stagecoach’s Supertram bosses on Monday, July 2 amid rising anger over a two-year pay offer which would see drivers and conductors get  just a 26 pence an hour pay rise in year one and in year two.

Over 200 drivers and conductors took part in the industrial action ballot which saw 91.7 per cent back strike action and 95.8 per cent industrial action short of a strike. The turnout was over 83 per cent.

“The massive vote in favour of industrial action should be a wake-up call to Stagecoach bosses running Sheffield’s Supertram,” said Unite regional officer Steve Clark.

“With inflation eating into wages the current pay offer falls short of the aspirations of our members who work hard to keep Sheffield on the move. Bosses should be under no illusion. Industrial action is a last resort, but our members are prepared to take it to achieve a fair pay rise.

“We would urge the company to seize the opportunity of last ditch talks next week and table a revised offer that better reflects the important contribution Sheffield’s Supertram drivers and conductors make to the smooth running of the city’s transport system.”