Unite calls for talks as more strikes announced in Sheffield tram drivers pay dispute

A further eight days of strike action have been announced amidst a pay dispute with Supertram

The call came from the Unite union which has been trying to convene talks for Thursday, August 2, but so far, Supertram bosses have not responded.

Around 200 drivers and conductors working on the 48-stop light rail tram system have already taken five days of strike action in the dispute over a ‘26 pence an hour’ pay offer.

Further strikes will happen on 18,20,22,28 and 30 August, as well as on September 1, all starting at 1am.

There will also be a 48 hour strike on August 24.

Unite regional coordinating officer Steve Clark said: “We have strained every sinew to set up constructive talks with the company - we are aiming for Thursday afternoon under the Acas umbrella - but we have had no response from the management to our continued overtures.

“Hopefully, the people of Sheffield will see which side is making every effort to resolve this dispute. The bosses are playing hardball and it is the commuting public that will suffer travel misery as a result.

“Our door is open 24/7 to resolve this dispute before the next round of strike action is due.”

The workers overwhelmingly rejected the latest revised three-year pay offer from May 2018.

Unite said that when the details were analysed it amounted to an increase of just 26p an hour and the union has accused the management of ‘playing a game of smoke and mirrors’.

Unite members voted by 91 per cent in favour of strike action and by 95 per cent for industrial action short of a strike.