Croydon Tramlink strikes suspended

Planned strikes next week by Croydon Tramlink engineers have been suspended to allow talks on a pay dispute, the Unite union has announced.

Workers who maintain the trams were due to stage a five-day strike starting on Sunday, in a dispute over pay.

The union claimed that other London Underground workers in the same roles were paid up to £10,000 more a year.

The pay disparity is causing Tramlink staffing shortages, according to Unite, because workers leave as soon as a higher-paid job becomes available on the London Underground.

If the talks do not resolve the dispute, the union said strike action will take place from May 5 to 9, and July 11 to 15.

Unite regional officer Bruce Swann said: “As a sign of good faith, our members have agreed to suspend strike action after TfL said it would meaningfully negotiate with Unite over pay disparities. 

“Strike action will occur during May and July, however, if a satisfactory outcome is not reached during the talks.”

Navid Golshan, Transport for London’s general manager for London Trams, said: “We are pleased that Unite has suspended their industrial action by the London Trams engineers.

“This is good news for our customers in South London and we will continue to work closely with all trade union representatives to address concerns and avoid disruption.”

(Picture: TfL)