London tram worker five-day strikes suspended

Planned strikes next week by London tram workers have been suspended to allow talks on a pay dispute, their union Unite has announced.

Workers belonging to the union were due to walkout this Sunday until the 28th of March.

If the talks do not resolve the dispute, strikes will take place from May the 5th to the 9th and July the 11th to 15th.

The walk out was planned because the union claimed other London Underground workers who perform the same roles are paid up to £10,000 more a year.

Unite said the disparity is causing Tramlink staffing shortages because workers leave as soon as a higher paid job becomes available.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For years, Transport for London has got away with paying Tramlink engineers substantially less than their colleagues on the London Underground.

“Not any more – our members are sick of being treated as poor relations by TfL. They have Unite’s absolute support in striking for fair pay.”

TfL advised passengers to consider alternative routes and allow extra time for journeys during the strikes.

Navid Golshan, general manager for London Trams, said: “We urge Unite to continue to work with us to find a resolution and call this strike off. Customers planning to use London Trams services are urged to check before they travel.”

Normal services are expected on Sunday, with the strike starting at 8pm, but there will be no trams before 7am or after 6pm on March 25, 26 and 27. Services will start later on March 28, when the strike ends at 6am.

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