Manchester tram workers have announced four strike dates over the next six weeks in a dispute over pay and sickness benefits.
Workers will walk out on 29 September and 6, 13 and 20 October.
The strikes are likely to cause widespread disruption.
The GMB Union announced this morning that its members had unanimously voted for industrial action.
Workers are angry about the end of a sickness benefit scheme and bank holiday pay rates after the contract, currently operated by Bidvest Noonan, was outsourced.
Shaun Buckley, the GMB Organiser, said: “Since the contract was outsourced, GMB members have suffered worse terms and conditions and a merry-go-round of changing employers winning contracts to clean the trams.
“If Transport for Greater Manchester, the Manchester Mayor’s Office and Bidvest Noonan want to stop travel chaos for the city, the must stop the erosion of terms and conditions for these already low paid workers.”
Feature image: Manchester tram © KK70088 and licensed for reuse. Via Flickr
