Manchester Metrolink strike off

The strike next month by more than 200 workers on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink tram and light railway system has been called off, while the workers are balloted on a new pay offer, Unite said today (May 28).

The workers, who cover three different groups – customer support who check tickets, engineering and business support – had been scheduled to strike on Friday, June 7 until Monday, June 10 during the Parklife Festival.

But following talks over the bank holiday weekend between Unite and the employer Keolis Amey Metrolink Ltd, which runs Metrolink on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester, a new package covering pay and employment conditions was hammered out.

Unite’s members will now be balloted on the proposals, with a recommendation to accept. The result of the ballot will be known at the end of next week.

“We had intensive talks over the bank holiday weekend with the management and we have now hammered out a package of proposals that we are putting to our members,” Unite regional officer Steve Davies said.

“We won’t be revealing the details of the new offer until our members have had time to consider and vote upon them. The result of the ballot should be known at the end of next week.”