Tram drivers' strike called off after new deal

A tram drivers' strike across Greater Manchester's Metrolink network planned for this weekend and New Year's Eve has been called off, but 200 bus workers are still set to walk out.

The Unite union has accepted a new deal that bosses said would see employer KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) "fix long-standing problems with fatigue and scheduling issues".

Rotas meant Metrolink drivers were working up to six days in a row "without proper rest breaks", leading to safety concerns with drivers facing exhaustion, Unite said.

However, strikes on Friday and Saturday by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bus workers in roles including ticketing and passenger assistance are set to go ahead.

Tram drivers have now accepted new proposals that will see rota changes including a reduction in driving time without a break from five-and-a-half to five hours, the removal of six-day working and an additional two rest days introduced.

Drivers will also benefit from having their shift lengths reduced from nine-and-a-half to nine hours, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it was "an excellent win for our members, who stood together in their concerns over fatigue, while the deal would also equate to "vastly improved pay for many workers".

Damien Chabas, managing director at KAM, said it would now "focus on delivering these changes and continuing to work with employees and Unite to strengthen our position as an employer of choice in Greater Manchester".

He added: "With this agreement in place, tram services will run as normal during the busy year-end period."

Danny Vaughan, chief network officer at TfGM, said: "We've worked very hard to understand and respond to the concerns among drivers and are pleased the offer put forward has been accepted.

"That means there will be no strikes and trams will run as normal, helping people get where they need to on the last weekend before Christmas."

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