Tram strike causes delays and queues
| Posted: July 28, 2009
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Another tram strike is planned for next week
PEOPLE in the city faced long queues yesterday as strikes hit the trams.
Workers went ahead with planned action after failing to reach a deal with bosses over a 2% pay increase that could see a cut in sick pay.
The GMB Union has warned there is a further strike planned for next week if no agreement is reached.
Five trams, some driven by managers and supervisors, were in operation yesterday, instead of the usual 13. A replacement bus service was run.
But customers still faced queues – and being late.
"The strike is horrendous," said Julia Hutchings, 42, of Thoresby Estate, who had taken her eight-year-old twins Harry and Charlotte out for the day.
"I've got to wait forever, with the shopping.
"It's just a nightmare."
Beverley Roots, 47, of Mapperley added: "It was a specific inconvenience to me because I wanted to go and book some tickets to go on holiday, and I had to wait."
Around 35 workers took part in protest action across the city, forming a picket line at the depot in Wilkinson Street.
Tim Clements, from GMB said: "Now they want to reduce sick pay, none for the first few days and then at a reduced rate.
"These people work in an environment where they face physical and verbal violence everyday.
"They have had to go off sick through no fault of their own.
"At this moment in time, where people are in danger of catching swine flu, people would go off with no sick pay at all.
"This is not acceptable. This is 2009, not 1889.
"We have got a planned strike for Monday as well, but in the meantime we want to meet with the [tram bosses] – but they have got to come up with something that's better than they offered."
As part of the negotiations Nottingham Tram Consortium offered workers four options to enable them to secure a two percent pay rise. These included no sick pay for the first three days and then half-pay for the rest of the time off sick.
A representative for Nottingham Tram Consortium said: "It's not the company's intention to scrap sick pay. Sick pay is one of the areas that the company has asked the union to consider as part of productivity savings. They asked for a 2% pay rise and these are the possible options.
"We are very sorry that people have been inconvenienced. There were last-minute talks to try and avert the action; sadly they weren't successful.
"We are very disappointed and the effect it's having on people, and the trouble they have getting to work."
claire.carter@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
Comments
what are Arrow's profits or losses anything to do with NTC or the trades union? Finally, not that I know, but are many Companies in the habit of sharing financial information with trades unions? You are correct. Arrow's profits or losses are absolutely nothing to do with this. Tramorak is out there with the fairies on this one. I think some employers do share finacial data with the unions, but the main issue is that some unions are too stupid to realise that a certain level of profit is not only desirable, but essential as it keeps their members in a long term job. The view is often that all the profit a company makes whould be distributed amongst the workers who "make the money in the first place". A deeply flawed argument. And one bound to lead to disaster.
pass the Penthouse ?
time to take the bus
tramorak It strikes me (no pun intended!) that you are either a disgruntled employee or ex-employee of the tram. You certainly seem to have an axe to grind. Possibly NTC could afford the security guards from the pay that the striking staff weren't paid... Tramraider is right, Arrow are NTC's client. Nothing more, so what are Arrow's profits or losses anything to do with NTC or the trades union? Finally, not that I know, but are many Companies in the habit of sharing financial information with trades unions?
Mark, Nottingham Regarding 3 days unpaid sick pay... Under the governments statutory sick pay scheme, if an employee is off sick, the first three days of any illness are unpaid. After that the employee is entitled to payment at the statutory rate which is about £73 per week. Some employers (normally all public sector employers where the tax / ratepayers pick up the tab) offer employees a more generous sick pay scheme so that there is no financial loss if the employee is off sick (or malingering).
Tramorak. Sounds like you need to take a chill pill and get a new job. You're clearly not happy at the tram. Your rants may have some force if they were in any way true. For instance.... 5. "The tram will never make a profit" (in off the red Sneinton) Arrow Light Rail posted profits last year. This is a fact. Arrow, is the parent company of NTC. Arrow Light Rail's retained profit last year (2007) was £5.8m LOSS. And Arrow is nothing at all to do with being the parent of NTC. NTC is owned by NCT and Transdev. Please get your facts straight, or you just make yourself look daft.
It is outrageous that in this economic climate the union members think that they are justified in striking for a pay rise. Many people have lost their jobs or have taken a pay cut. What makes tram drivers think they deserve special treatment?
Can someone explain what "3 Days unpaid sick pay" means? Sounds like a complete oxymoron to me.
Lets look at some facts and statements here people. 1. Nottingham Tram Consortium (NTC) say they have no money. *If this was true then why are they unwilling to show the union the figures to prove this?* 2. "There is no Legal right to strike" (Andrew Nottingham) *There is a perfectly legal right to strike, if you are in a Union. As such the Union members who went on strike are not in breach of contract as they are involved in a legal strike.* 3. "The Unions want a 2% pay rise" (WO Nottingham) * The last offer put on the table from the unions was a pay FREEZE with a negotiable one off payment in recognition of their memberships efforts to reach an agreement and avoid strike action. This was rejected by NTC* 4. "3 Days unpaid sick pay and reduced rate is not a bad deal." (Various) *3 days sick pay, when you are working in direct contact with 1000+ people, who may assault or pass on germs to you, is totally unacceptable. If you work in a controlled enviroment there is less chance of you contracting swine flu or being assaulted, so in that situation, it might be acceptable.* 5. "The tram will never make a profit" (in off the red Sneinton) *Arrow Light Rail posted profits last year. This is a fact. Arrow, is the parent company of NTC.* 6. "Sack em etc" (Paul Nottingham) *They are still recruiting Paul, I suggest you give it a go. Be warned that the job involves unsociable hours, a risk of being assaulted/robbed and a management system that does nothing to reward good performance, but is quick to punish any mistakes.* I travelled by Tram on 2 occasions yesterday. Both journeys were driven poorly, compared to what I usually expect. There was a security guard present on every tram I saw and about 10 or 15 of them at the depot on Wilkinson Street along with two police officers. Why was this? If NTC has no money to improve their pay offer to staff, how did they manage to pay for all this additional security?
paul if your employer said they was cutting your pay would you just say ok? if you would then you are a mug and need to grow a backbone GOOD LUCK TO ALL TRAM WORKERS