West Midlands Metro workers celebrate pay win

Long running strike action on the West Midlands Metro has ended after workers agreed an improved pay offer.

The 170 members of Unite began strike action in mid-October. The new pay deal was offered after Unite announced that the workers would take all-out industrial action from the end of November.

Under the pay deal, which members of Unite accepted, existing tram crew with 12 months service or longer will see their pay increase by 20.1 per cent by April 2023, with 15 per cent of the increase backdated to June 2022.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is a well-deserved win for workers who were prepared to take a stand against low pay and who through standing together secured a vastly improved pay deal.

“Unite is now entirely committed to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and this victory for the West Midlands Metro workers demonstrates that this strategy is delivering for union members.”

New tram crew will see their wages increase by 13.7 per cent by April 2023 and all other grades on the West Midlands Metro will see their pay increase by 10.25 per cent.

As part of the deal, the pay anniversary date (when pay increases are due to be paid) has moved three months from June to April. The employer has also committed to a review of tram crew pay in the summer of 2023.

Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh added, “This was a hard won victory and it could not have been achieved without the commitment of Unite’s reps and the dedication of our members at West Midlands Metro.”

By Barckley Sumner