Manchester Metrolink services will operate this weekend and New Year’s Eve after strikes by tram drivers have been called off.
The workers, members of Unite, the leading union in passenger transport, have accepted a new deal that will see their employer fix longstanding problems with fatigue and scheduling issues.
Rotas meant drivers at Metrolink were working as many as six days in a row without proper rest breaks. This was leading to safety concerns around fatigue, with drivers concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted.
Workers have now accepted new proposals by Metrolink 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 the introduction of an additional two rest days. All drivers will also benefit from having their duty length reduced from nine and a half to nine hours.
Metrolink has committed to fully implementing these changes by January 2027 and the improvements to rotas will bring them more in line with workers elsewhere in the country.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent win for our members at Metrolink, who stood together in their concerns over fatigue until their employer listened and came up with meaningful changes.
“Their action has also led to vastly improved pay for many workers. This result shows the power of a union and workers at Metrolink should be very proud of their achievement.”
