Talks to avert tram strike fail

Union members voted overwhelmingly in support of a walkout

Talks between a tram operator and a union in an effort to avert industrial action have broken down.

Drivers and conductors on Nottingham's trams voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a row over a pay freeze earlier this month.

But talks between the GMB union and operator Nottingham Tram Consortium (NTC) on Sunday failed to reach an agreement to prevent a walkout.

The strike will now go ahead on Monday as planned.

The GMB union had called for a 5% pay increase but Nottingham Tram Consortium (NTC) refused because it faces a drop in its annual income.

The union said 89.8% of its 134 members had voted in a favour of a walkout.

Helen Goulding, general manager for NTC stated, "I am very disappointed that we have been unable to reach agreement to avoid the GMB's industrial action tomorrow and would apologise to our customers for the disruption caused.

"I remain committed to finding a satisfactory solution that meets the needs of all involved to avoid further strike action."

A reduced tram service will operate with some services replaced by buses.

Tram staff will begin strike action from 0010 BST on Monday 27 July until 0525 BST on Tuesday 28 July.

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