Plans are underway for the UK’s biggest Christmas market, but one problem could throw a major spanner in the works. Manchester’s annual sprawling festive tradition, spanning over 200 stalls in nine locations, is thought to be the most ambitious of its kind in the country and draws up to nine million visitors each year. The northwestern city is also known for its extensive tram network, Metrolink, with many attendees likely planning to travel between the different marketplaces on the light rail system.
But as citizens prepare to be inundated with tourists when the market opens on November 7, looming tram strikes have raised fears over a chaotic winter season. Unite members can vote in the strike ballot until November 11 amid a dispute over working conditions linked to long shifts of up to 50 hours and covering 450 hours over a 12-week period.
Among the 320 members eligible to vote on strike action are workers at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots, which operate trams right across the city, according to the BBC.
Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption, but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously.
“It is dangerous for fatigued drivers to be driving trams and they should not be put in this situation. We are demanding that Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) work with Unite to find a solution to this problem to avoid industrial action.”
Unite said strikes could begin in late November, potentially having major repercussions on holiday trade, with the Christmas market running until December 22.
“We’re aware that Unite is ballotting drivers employed by the tram operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) over industrial action,” Danny Vaughan, chief network officer of TfGM, said.
“We are meeting with both KAM and Unite this week to understand the issue and any concerns in more detail.
“We are keen to work with both parties to resolve the issue without causing disruption for passengers.”
Damien Chabas, managing director of Metrolink, added: “Driver welfare and managing fatigue are key priorities for us. Our focus has been on meaningful consultation and finding balanced solutions that are viable for the long-term sustainability of Metrolink and that support the delivery of a safe and reliable service for passengers.”